JOINT RESOLUTION AALEP-GR LEAGUE TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

The Joint Resolution here below was transmitted on 22 October 2015 to President of the European Commission Mr. Jean-Claude KUNCKER in both English and Russian.

Joint Resolution

"Whereas the Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union (AALEP) and the Association of Government Relations Specialists (GR League) of the Russian Federation entered into a Protocol of Cooperation on 23 November 2012 with a view to optimise outcomes for government relations practitioners and for government relations initiatives on both sides;

Whereas on the initiative of the GR League a meeting was held in Paris on 12 December 2010 on the theme of Russia-EU Dialogue on Lobbying in the presence of high level representatives of both the Russian and EU public and private sectors;

Whereas both organisations concur and strongly support President Jean-Claude Juncker's recent declaration that 'it is now critical for the EU to work on its relations with Russia and to make efforts towards a practical relationship;

We are of the opinion that in the long run, a constructive and predictable relationship between the EU and Russia is possible and desirable for their mutual benefit, including pragmatic sectorial cooperation for electricity and gas, development of transport, energy and telecommunication infrastructures, environment and waste management, research technology and development;

We believe that enhanced cooperation between civil societies, businesses and the mobility and exchange of entrepreneurs, managers, students, teachers, professors, researchers in order to facilitate people-to-people and B2B contact will provide a visible and tangible testimony to sustainable relations and have a positive effect on EU-Russia relations;

We hold that efforts should be undertaken to concluding a visa waiver agreement for short term travel in order to optimise cultural, educational and business visits;

We underline the importance of collaboration in the energy field and other key sectors which represent an opportunity for further trade and economic cooperation in an open and transparent market and sustainable economic and regional growth;

We hold that both sides should pay particular attention to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs.

Owing to the very nature of our respective government relations practice and understanding of processes on either side, we see our roles first and foremost as dialogue facilitators to help reduce the often significant power and information imbalances between the EU and Russia, navigate the complexity of doing business with each other and support rebuilding trust, respect and constructive engagement.

In this perspective we both reiterate our unequivocal support for cooperation between the EU and Russia in all institutions, organisations and forums."