a
what was at stake
b
green position
c
what we achieved
d
what we did not achieve

The negotiations of the new EU-Russia Agreement

The old Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between EU and Russia expired in 2007, 10 years after its signature.

Before it lapsed, in 2003, the EU and Russia agreed to deepen their relationship in four domains: economic cooperation; freedom, security and justice; cooperation on external security; and research, education and cultural exchanges.

But President Putin's interest in the agreement remains selective, with democratic institutions being his most obvious blind spot.

 

What was the Greens' position?

The Greens believe that a strategic partnership is worth little if one side does not accept basic democratic values.

Ignoring the need for Russia's democratic transformation undermines all other policy domains, including economic and security cooperation.

 

Did other MEPs accept the Greens' position?

The Greens succeeded in introducing amendments that called for political reforms to guarantee the rule of law and fight corruption, and this ongoing process should be monitored.

Thanks to our input Parliament is demanding improvements in the dialogue on human rights, to make sure that human rights are actually being promoted, as the Russian constitution undertakes to guarantee.

The Parliament has also expressed its deep concerns over the still operative Chernobyl-type nuclear reactors and the planned reactors in Kaliningrad Oblast and Sosnovyi Bor.

 

Which points did the Greens lose?

In general, the Greens were satisfied with the result.

Since Parliament's opinion on foreign affairs is not legally binding, conflict over issues in this domain is rare.

Reference(s)
Press & Events
Committee:AFET

Procedure:Own-initiative procedure

Reference(s):2011/2050(INI)

Lead MEP:Hannes Swoboda (S&D)

Green MEP responsible:

Voted:13/12/2012

Staff contact:Paolo Bergamaschi (Email)

Outcome of the vote
Below you find the results of the final vote in plenary. How did the political groups vote? What about national delegations? And what was the position of your MEP?