Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-10-21-Speech-2-331"
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"en.20081021.39.2-331"2
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"It is clear that we cannot speak of the restoration or improvement of relations with Russia if there is no mutual trust, and that trust cannot be created without the full implementation of the peace plan. I see relations with Moscow from two perspectives. First of all, at Member-State level, where I share the position that it is more sensible to talk about such topics than to sever relations. At European Union level, however, our message is that the Union should consider the desires and fears of us small countries that have experienced a different history. In the same way that aggressive Russian foreign policy or human rights violations cannot be the only message, European Union interests that operate above the heads of the weaker, that is, Eastern European countries cannot also be the its only form of behaviour.
I liked what right-wing French President Nicolas Sarkozy said today: he emphasised the need for dialogue instead of counterattack. He reminded us that it was believed there was no point in going to Moscow, but that doing so nevertheless stopped the Russian forces. Of course we do not need a new Cold War, but we do need to defend our European principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and value-based politics and democracy.
I call for the European Union to continue to pursue a sustainable foreign policy with Russia and not to sever relations. It is the obligation of members of parliament to resolve tensions. We need diplomacy and also popular diplomacy, a good example of which is the very successful Russian theatre festival that just ended in my country, Estonia. I would also like to call upon the leaders of Europe, the Presidency of the EU and the heads of European Parliament factions not to forget their neighbours’ fears and horror that Russia continues to create by pursuing its aggressive politics. It is clear that there is presently very little trust and respect in relations between the European Union and Russia, due to …"@en1
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