WRITTEN QUESTION E-1401/00

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(5 May 2000)

Subject: EU-Russia relations

Only a few days ago, a presidential election took place in the Russian Federation, which resulted in the election of Mr Vladimir Putin to the presidency after the first round. The following day, Mr Javier Solana, the High Representative of the CFSP, and Mr Romano Prodi, the Commission President, congratulated Mr Putin on his victory and reminded him of the situation in Chechnya, where thousands of people have lost their lives in the last few months thanks to a war which, to say the least, Moscow has at no moment tried to avoid: civilian communities and hospitals have been bombarded indiscriminately, and Russian troops have constantly perpetrated violations of human rights.

In the light of Parliament's resolution of 16 March 2000 on the European Charter of Human Rights, and of Article 177(2) of the EC Treaty, which specifies as general objectives of the Community developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law and respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms:

What does the Council believe should be the proper ethical limits of the EU's external relations? What measures does it propose to prevent conflicts of this nature where they are held in our view erroneously to be internal? What initiatives does it propose to protect ethnic minorities living outside the EU?

Reply

(29 September 2000)

The Treaty on European Union states that one of the objectives of its common foreign and security policy is to safeguard the common values mldr of the Union. These values or principles, which are common to the Member States, are listed as liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. Such are the foundations of any ethical dimension of the EU's external relations.

The European Union does not recognise any theoretical limit to the application of its essential tenets. Whether in the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe or in its bilateral relations, including its agreements with third countries, the EU gives the promotion of its values very high priority.

Conflict prevention is a complex and difficult business, to which the EU along with other international actors makes a substantial contribution with varying degrees of success. The EU uses all instruments available to it. In the longer term, these include the promotion of its values, aid, trade, and political influence to foster economic, social and political conditions that mitigate the causes of conflict. In the shorter term the EU

may use persuasion, influence and action in an impending or actual conflict situation, in order to see issues resolved peacefully by dialogue and agreement. This applies equally to situations internal or external to countries where a conflict threatens or takes place.

The EU's ability to control and even to influence events is obviously limited by factors which vary according to the circumstances, including the EU's weight in the country or the issue in question as well as its overall interests. In each case, the EU must decide through its institutions the most appropriate actions in the circumstances to promote its objectives.

One of those objectives is to promote the protection of the rights of minorities, including ethnic minorities. Specific initiatives will vary according to the circumstances and according to the EU's ability to influence the situation.