Home /ENDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA IS A LOSE-LOSE MODEL

ENDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA IS A LOSE-LOSE MODEL

Submitted by christian on Fri, 06/12/2015 - 16:10

The EU Parliament adopted by a large majority a report on the state of EU-Russia relations stating that in the current international context the EU has no choice but to “critically re-assess” its relations with Russia.

The non-legislative report was adopted by 494 votes in favour (71%), 135 against (19%) and 69 abstentions (10%). Only the radical left / communists, eurosceptics and the nationalists opposed the final text.

The report states that the EU relations with Russia have been deeply damaged by Russia’s violation of democratic principles, fundamental values and international law. With this text, the EP states that Russia can no longer be considered as a strategic partner.

EU Member States must maintain unity the MEPs say and they call on EU countries to abstain from bilateral deals with Russia which could harm this unity.

The MEPs are concerned by the fact that Russia has now openly positioned itself as a challenger of the international democratic community and are very worried by the growing hatred directed against opposition and human rights activists, minorities and neighboring countries. The deterioration of the situation of human rights and the rule of law in the country is also of great concern.

The report also says that the EU would be ready to relaunch cooperation with Moscow on several conditions among which there are the respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and the full implementation of the Minsk agreement.

Huge majority favour terminating strategic partnership with Russia

Members coming from the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE and the Greens/EFA voted a text saying that because of its actions in Crimea and in Eastern Ukraine, Russia can no longer be treated as, or considered, a ‘strategic partner’. The Members disagreeing with that came from the radical-left / communist group, the Eurosceptic EFDD group and the nationalist non-attached.

Notably, half of the Italian EPP delegation (from Forza Italia, Silvio Berlusconi’s party) and three French EPP Members also disagreed, but none of the Hungarian Members of FIDESZ (Viktor Orban’s party, otherwise believed to have stronger ties with Russia).

In the Socialist camp, the Members opposing to the termination of the strategic partnership with Russia came mainly from the Bulgarian, Polish, Slovakian and Greek delegations.

Communists, eurosceptics and nationalists don’t see Crimea as belonging to Ukraine

A similar split took place on an amendment that argued that Russia should respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea. While most of the groups supported including Crimea, the GUE-NGL, EFDD and the non-attached did not want the reference to “Crimea” to be included.                                                                                                               

The Bulgarian socialists and a number of Italian socialists also shared this view.

Socialists, communists, eurosceptics, nationalists oppose concrete projects to counter Russian propaganda

These groups opposed a request for funding to support concrete projects aimed at countering Russian propaganda and misinformation within the EU and abroad . However, the MEPs coming from the EPP, ECR, ALDE and the Greens/EFA groups gathered a majority to pass this request.

Notably, the Dutch socialist delegation and some of the German and Romanian socialists also supported the call for concrete projects in this direction.

Finally, the report calls on the Commission to propose legislation ensuring “the full transparency of political funding and financing of political parties in the EU with regard in particular to political or economic stakeholders outside the EU”. This is because MEPs are concerned by Russia’s support and financing of radical and extremist groups in the EU.

They all voted for (MEPs from 11 countries)

  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Finland
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Sweden

They voted Against (Nr of MEPs)

  1. France: 27
  2. Italy: 24
  3. UK: 22
  4. Greece: 11
  5. Germany: 11
  6. Spain: 9
  7. Czech Republic: 5
  8. Austria 4
  9. Netherlands: 4
  10. Poland: 4
  11. Bulgaria: 3
  12. Hungary: 3
  13. Cyprus: 2
  14. Latvia: 2
  15. Denmark: 1
  16. Ireland: 1
  17. Portugal: 1
  18. Estonia: 1

Full list of MEPs who gave voted against the resolution.

Austria                                                                      

  1. Barbara KAPPEL, FPÖ radical right wing populism
  2. Georg MAYER, FPÖ, radical right wing populism
  3. Franz OBERMAYR, FPÖ, radical right wing populism
  4. Harald VILIMSKY, FPÖ, radical right wing populism

Bulgaria

  1. Iliana IOTOVA, Bulgarian Socialist Party, socialism
  2. Momchil NEKOV, Bulgarian Socialist Party, socialism
  3. Georgi PIRINSKI, Bulgarian Socialist Party, socialism

Cyprus

  1. Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Progressive Party of Working People-Left- New Forces, communism
  2. Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Progressive Party of Working People- Left-New Forces, communism

Czech Republic

  1. Jan KELLER, Česká strana sociálně demokratická, social democracy
  2. Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy, communism
  3. Petr MACH, Strana svobodných občanů, eurosceptism
  4. Jiří MAŠTÁLKA, Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy, communism
  5. Miroslav RANSDORF, Komunistická strana Čech a Moravy, communism

 Denmark

  1. Rina Ronja KARI, Folkebevægelsen mod EU, eurosceptism

Estonia

  1. Yana TOOM, Eesti Keskerakond, social liberalism

France

  1. Louis ALIOT, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  2. Marie-Christine ARNAUTU, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  3. Nicolas BAY, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  4. Joëlle BERGERON, Independent, Independent
  5. Dominique BILDE, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  6. Marie-Christine BOUTONNET, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  7. Steeve BRIOIS, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  8. Aymeric CHAUPRADE, Front National, radical-right-wing populism
  9. Mireille D’ORNANO, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  10. Edouard FERRAND, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  11. Sylvie GODDYN, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  12. Bruno GOLLNISCH, Front National, radical right- wing populism
  13. Jean-François JALKH, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  14. Patrick LE HYARIC, Front de Gauche, communism
  15. Marine LE PEN, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  16. Gilles LEBRETON, Souveraineté, Indépendance et Libertés, eurosceptism
  17. Philippe LOISEAU, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  18. Dominique MARTIN, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  19. Bernard MONOT, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  20. Sophie MONTEL, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  21. Jean-Luc MELENCHON, Front de Gauche, communism
  22. Joëlle MELIN, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  23. Younous OMARJEE, L’Union pour les Outremer, left-wing radicalism
  24. Floriant PHILIPPOT, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  25. Jean-Luc SCHAFFHAUSER, Rassemblement bleu Marine, radical right-wing populism
  26. Mylène TROSZCZYNSKI, Front National, radical right-wing populism
  27. Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Front de Gauche, communism

Germany

  1. Fabio DE MASI, Die Linke, socialism
  2. Cornelia ERNST, Die Linke, socialism
  3. Thomas HÄNDEL, Die Linke, socialism
  4. Sabine LÖSING, Die Linke, socialism
  5. Martina MICHELS, Die Linke socialism
  6. Marcus PRETZELL, Alternative für Deutschland, euroscepticism
  7. Helmut SCHOLZ, Die Linke, socialism
  8. Udo VOIGT, Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands, neo-Nazism
  9. Beatrix von STORCH, Alternative für Deutschland, euroscepticism
  10. Hermann WINKLER, Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschland, conservatism
  11. Gabriele ZIMMER, Die Linke, socialism

Greece

  1. Kostas CHRYSOGONOS, Coalition of the Radical Left, left-wing radicalism
  2. Georgios EPITIDEIOS, Popular Association- Golden Dawn, neo-Nazism
  3. Emmanouil GLEZOS, Coalition of the Radical Left, left-wing radicalism
  4. Stelios KOULOGLOU, Coalition of the Radical Left, left-wing radicalism
  5. Kostadinka KUNEVA, Coalition of the Radical Left, left-wing radicalism
  6. Notis MARIAS, Independent Greeks, radical right-wing populism
  7. Konstantinos PAPADAKIS, Communist Party of Greece, communism
  8. Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS, Coalition of the Radical Left, left-wing radicalism
  9. Sofia SAKORAFA, Coalition of the Radical Left, left-wing radicalism
  10. Eleftherios SYNADINOS, Popular Association Golden Dawn-neo-Nazism
  11. Sotiros ZARIANOPOULOS, Communist Party of Greece, communism

Hungary

  1. Zoltán BALCZÓ, Jobbik, radical right wing populism
  2. Béla KOVÁCS, Jobbik, radical right-wing populism
  3. Krisztina MORVAI, Jobbik, radical right-wing populism

Ireland

  1. Luke Ming FLANAGAN, Independent, Independent

Italy

  1. Isabella ADINOLFI, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  2. Marco AFFRONTE, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  3. Laura AGEA, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  4. Daniela AIUTO, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  5. Tiziana BEGHIN, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  6. Mara BIZZOTTO, Lega Nord, radical right-wing populism
  7. Mario BORGHEZIO, Lega Nord, radical right-wing populism
  8. Giancula BUONANNO, Lega Nord, radical right-wing populism
  9. Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  10. Ignazio CORRAO, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  11. Rosa D’AMATO, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  12. Eleonora EVI, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  13. Laura FERRARA, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  14. Lorenzo FONTANA, Lega Nord, radical right-wing populism
  15. Eleonora FORENZA, Lista Tsipras- L’Altra Europa, social democracy
  16. Curzio MALTESE, Lista Tsipras-L’Altra Europa, social democracy
  17. Piernicola PEDICINI, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  18. Matteo SALVINI, Lega Nord, radical right-wing populism
  19. Remo SERNAGIOTTO, Forza Italia, conservatism
  20. Barbara SPINELLI, Lista Tsipras-L’Altra Europa, social democracy
  21. Dario TAMBURRANO, Movimento 6 Stelle, euroscepticism
  22. Marco VALLI, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  23. Marco ZANNI, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism
  24. Marco ZULLO, Movimento 5 Stelle, euroscepticism

Latvia

  1. Andrej MAMIKINS, “Saskaņa” sociāldemokrātiskā partija, social democracy
  2. Tatjana ŽDANOKA, Latvijas Krievu savienība, social democracy

Netherlands

  1. Dennis de JONG, Socialistische Partij, social democracy
  2. Vicky MAEIJER, Partij voor de Vrijheid, right-wing populism
  3. Anne-Marie MINEUR, Socialistische Partij, social democracy
  4. Olaf STUGER, Partij voor de Vrijheid, right-wing populism

Poland

  1. Robert Jarosław IWASZKIEWICZ, Nowa Prawica-Janusza Korwin-Mikke, euroscepticism
  2. Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE, Nowa Prawica-Janusza Korwin-Mikke, euroscepticism
  3. Michał MARUSIK, Nowa Prawica-Janusza Korwin-Mikke, euroscepticism
  4. Stanisław ŻÓŁTEK, Nowa Prawica-Janusza Korwin-Mikke, euroscepticism

 Portugal

  1. João FERREIRA, Coligação Democrática Unitária, left-wing radicalism

Spain

  1. Marina ALBIOL GUZMÁN, Izquierda Unida, communism
  2. Javier COUSO PERMUY, Izquierda Unida, communism
  3. Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Podemos, socialism
  4. Pablo IGLESIAS, Podemos, socialism
  5. Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Izquierda Unida, communism
  6. Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY, Podemos, socialism
  7. Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Podemos, socialism
  8. Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Podemos, socialism
  9. Ángela VALLINA, Izquierda Unida, communism

 United Kingdom

  1. William (The Earl of) DARTMOUTH, UKIP, euroscepticism
  2. John Stuart AGNEW, UKIP, euroscepticism
  3. Tim AKER, UKIP, euroscepticism
  4. Jonathan ARNOTT, UKIP, euroscepticism
  5. Janice ATKINSON, UKIP, euroscepticism
  6. Gerard BATTEN, UKIP, euroscepticism
  7. Louise BOURS, UKIP, euroscepticism
  8. James CARVER, UKIP, euroscepticism
  9. David COBURN, UKIP, euroscepticism
  10. Jane COLLINS, UKIP, euroscepticism
  11. Bill ETHERIDGE, UKIP, euroscepticism
  12. Nigel FARAGE, UKIP, euroscepticism
  13. Raymond FINCH, UKIP, euroscepticism
  14. Nathan GILL, UKIP, euroscepticism
  15. Roger HELMER, UKIP, euroscepticism
  16. Mike HOOKEM, UKIP, euroscepticism
  17. Diane JAMES, UKIP, euroscepticism
  18. Paul NUTALL, UKIP, euroscepticism
  19. Patrick O’FLYNN, UKIP, eurosepticism
  20. Julia REID, UKIP, eurosepticism
  21. Jill SEYMOUR UKIP, eurosepticism
  22. Steven WOOLFE, UKIP, eurosepticism

 

 

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ENDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA IS A LOSE-LOSE MODEL

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