Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-20-Speech-3-216"
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"en.20021120.5.3-216"2
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". – Mr President, the European Union/Russian Federation Summit that took place on 11 November in Brussels succeeded in producing an understanding, as you already know, on the issue of transit between Kaliningrad and the rest of Russia.
In addition, Russia and the European Union will immediately launch negotiations with a view to concluding a readmission agreement as soon as possible.
In this context, the Summit also produced a joint statement defining areas for further cooperation in the fight against terrorism, which is a clear priority for both sides. We intend to increase the exchange of information in a number of relevant areas, as well as to deepen cooperation against terrorism in multilateral arenas and in regard to the provision of assistance in this field to third countries.
Other important issues were discussed at the Summit. The on-going conflict in Chechnya featured prominently among these. In this regard, the European Union raised its serious concerns over Chechnya. I would like to assure you that the well-established position of the Union on the matter was put forward to President Putin in quite clear terms. While expressing its support for Russia against terrorism in all its forms, the Union explicitly stated that the fight against terrorism cannot be conducted at the expense of basic human rights. This is also valid for Chechnya.
The Union raised again the problem of unimpeded and safe access for humanitarian workers on the ground in Chechnya.
In addition, the EU urged the Russians to promote without delay a political solution that provides a framework for lasting peace, stability and reconstruction in Chechnya.
At the Summit we also had a good discussion on a number of international issues, including the Middle East, on which we agreed a joint statement.
We reviewed the situation in Afghanistan, as well as the need for Iraq to comply fully with UN Security Council Resolution 1441. We also exchanged assessments regarding the threat of nuclear proliferation in the Korean Peninsula.
Finally, we reviewed the situation in Moldova and Belarus. Russia has already agreed to the withdrawal and destruction of ammunition in the breakaway region of Transnistria.
The EU stated that it is essential that this takes place rapidly in order to promote a solution to the conflict which continues to impede the development on Moldova, which is now the poorest country in Europe.
We also made it clear that we expect Russia to use its influence on the government of Belarus to adopt a more positive approach towards democratisation and respect of human rights.
As you are also aware, as a result of the discussions held at the May Summit in Moscow, the EU had agreed to carry out a review of the matter, taking further into account Russia's concerns about unimpeded travel of Russian citizens throughout the whole territory of the Russian Federation, including Kaliningrad.
On the economic side, progress was less marked, except for the change in the EU anti-dumping regulations, which now accord Russia market economy status. In addition, the Summit endorsed progress reports on the energy discussions and on the concept of a common European economic space.
The EU also raised a number of its commercial concerns, including the discriminatory charges levied by Russia for European aircraft flying over Siberia.
The EU pressed Russia to confirm expectations of early Russian ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and to commit itself to conclude a long-delayed agreement on the clean-up of nuclear waste in north-west Russia, the Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation (MNEPR).
I trust most of you are already aware that the 11th EU/Russia Summit will take place in St Petersburg, in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the city. Taking this into account, Russia has invited all EU leaders to this special summit, which should serve to deepen our bilateral cooperation with Russia even further.
In the relatively short time between the two summits, the Union completed a comprehensive review of the situation. Following a communication from the Commission in September, this review formulated a new position on Kaliningrad transit issues, which was adopted in October by the European Council meeting in Brussels.
In parallel discussions with both Russia and Lithuania, the Presidency and the Commission managed to develop ways and means to ensure that the vital interests of all parties concerned would be respected. In addition to Russia's legitimate interests, the EU was very much aware that any arrangements requiring further definition could not undermine the sovereignty of Lithuania – a future member of the Union – or carry negative implications for Lithuania's future accession in full to the Schengen regime.
Last but not least, the European Union must adequately protect its borders at all times, a task for which it was essential to respect the Schengen
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The European Commission is confident that the understanding reached at the Brussels Summit strikes the right balance between these parameters, making it possible to resolve the issue of Kaliningrad transit in a manner which is acceptable to all parties concerned.
The Commission has already started work to prepare for the implementation of the understanding reached at the Summit. Time is short and we are fully aware of the need to launch preparations without delay in order to meet the deadline of 1 July 2003, when Lithuania will introduce the new regime for Russian rail travellers crossing its territory. We are confident that by then the conditions will be in place to allow the introduction of simplified travel documents.
I would like to add that resolving the issue of Kaliningrad will allow us to substantially deepen and accelerate our cooperation with the Russian Federation in a number of important areas. Among these, the European Commission regards justice and home affairs as particularly important. Indeed cooperation with Russia on issues such as the fight against organised crime, illegal migration, drug trafficking, women trafficking and child pornography among others, is crucial.
On this matter, Russia confirmed at the Summit that the agreement between Europol and Russia will be rapidly concluded."@en1
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