[ad_1]
In the debate, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Borrell, lamented Russia’s perception of the values of liberal democracy as an “existential threat” and its efforts to divide the EU, making it difficult to constructive human rights dialogue with her.
“Our relations with Russia are at a crossroads. Our choice will determine the greatest balance of forces in this era … Yes, it could include sanctions,” Borrell said, calling for a strong response to Russia’s aggressive actions. At the same time, he suggested maintaining channels of political dialogue and “avoiding constant confrontation”, as well as adhering to “unity and strength” in EU-Russia relations, according to a statement issued by the EP representation in Lithuania.
According to Michael Gahler (Germany), spokesman for the European People’s Party, Borrell’s visit “opened the eyes of those who had an illusion.” He called for the adoption of an EU Magnitsky law and sanctions for oligarchs close to the Russian regime. Socialist and Democrat Kati Piri (Netherlands) was outraged by Russia’s use of Borrell’s visit to humiliate and offend the EU and called on the EU Council to unanimously agree on tough sanctions on the Putin regime. Dacian Cioloș (Let’s Renew Europe, Romania) said Borrell’s visit to Moscow was a mistake that damaged the reputation of the EU and sent a “wrong diplomatic message”.
For his part, Tierry Mariani (France), from the Identity and Democracy Group, described Mr. Borelli’s visit to Moscow as “realistic, necessary and courageous.” He called on the EU to abandon the provisions of the Cold War. According to the representative of the Greens, Sergey Lagodinsky (Germany), Borrell’s visit has forced the EU to “recover”. He called on the German, French and other governments to draw the appropriate conclusions: agree to sanctions against the Putin regime and suspend the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
Anna Fotyga (Poland), spokesperson for the European Conservatives and Reformists, deplored the fact that the visit of the EU High Representative, who ignored the advice of MEPs and some governments, would have allowed the Russian regime to humiliate the EU already Your partners. For her part, Left Representative Clare Daly (Ireland) asked why so much attention was being paid to Navaln and political prisoners from other countries, such as the former Assange, were being ignored. He criticized the “geopolitical agenda against Russia” and called for “dialogue, not war.”
“After his visit to Moscow, the EU comes across as weak. The EU is said to be an unreliable partner. The visit was organized without adequate preparations to avoid the traps built by the Kremlin and was carried out according to the scenario. The indirect damage and frustration with the visit is enormous. It is probably the easiest thing to explain from the perspective of EU citizens: I receive your questions, full of regret and criticism, for the fact that the EU has not was able to meet your expectations. I try to give you a reasonable explanation as to why the most important diplomat of the EU went to Moscow, despite the advice of several Member States and this House. Especially considering that the visit did not open the door to the freedom of A. Navalnas and did not stop the violence against peaceful protesters in Russia, “said Petras Auštrevičius (Let’s Renew Europe).
Andrius Kubilius (European People’s Party) called for a comprehensive review of EU policy towards Russia, no illusions about the Putin regime, EU sanctions against those responsible for the Navalno case and the immediate abandonment of the Nord Stream 2 project. ” In its relations with Russia, the EU must move away from the paradigm. ” Putin first “to” democracy first, “added the MEP, calling on the EU to” give the same priority to the defense of democracy as to the fight against climate change. “Mr Kubilius called for the defense of democracy with the new US administration, the introduction of preventive sanctions for electoral fraud in the run-up to the Russian Duma elections, the establishment of Belarusian and Russian justice centers on EU territory, and a significant increase in EU Investment in the Eastern Partnership.
Juozas Olekas (Socialists and Democrats) also agreed that last week’s visit to Russia by the EU High Representative, Borrell, raised many doubts. According to him, it is clear that the aggressive policy of the Kremlin no longer satisfies Russian citizens, as evidenced by the mass protests, and the poisoning and imprisonment of A. Navaln for almost three years is a clear violation of international law and an example of political repression. . We can see with our own eyes, said the MEP, how the Kremlin continues to try to downplay and eliminate any resistance or opposition.
“The Kremlin took advantage of the European Union and our image, and during the visit it asked German, Swedish and Polish diplomats from Russia. During a joint press conference, High Representative Borrell was forced to call for the release of Mr. Navalna, as well as to respond to statements by the Russian Foreign Minister on the annexation of Crimea and other issues on which we have adopted a firm stance at the European level. Parliament. Unfortunately, we have not heard a tougher position from the EU. At the moment, we are demanding strict and precise sanctions against the Kremlin regime and we are urging EU member states that are looking at Russia’s aggression through their fingers to look back at what is happening on the border of the EU, “said A. Kubilius.
According to Rasa Juknevičienė (European People’s Party), “The High Representative’s Supreme Friday in Moscow must finally help to realize in the capitals of the EU countries that Putin will not really change.”
Russia, according to MEPs, will change sometime, but not Putin. EU policy towards the Putin regime needs a fundamental change, he noted. “A democratic Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok without Lukashenko, Putin and other dictators is a dream that I support. Mr Borrelli, to help suffering Russians, we have to go to Moscow.” We need to sit at the same table with our partners in Washington. as soon as possible and start preparing and implementing a joint plan for the defense of democracy, which would include Putin’s arrest strategy, “said R. Juknevičienė.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of ELTA.
[ad_2]
