EU must send strong signal of disapproval ahead of talks with Russia

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th May 2007

The European Parliament held a major political debate this afternoon on EU relations with Russia ahead of the summit scheduled for next week. ALDE group leader, Graham Watson considers that a string of issues and concerns over recent months, including the latest over-reaction to Estonia's removal of a statue to another part of Tallinn should be met with a robust response from EU Member States.

Quoting Max Kampelman, a former US ambassador to the CSCE, Graham Watson (ALDE group leader) said "a dialogue is more than two monologues".

"Enough is enough," continued Watson. "When intimidation triumphs over negotiation, it can no longer be 'business as usual' between the EU and Russia. As such my group has decided to withdraw its signature from the joint resolution on the EU-Russia summit."

"May's summit should be postponed until Russia is prepared to cement a constructive relationship with the Union and condemn all violence against EU citizens and property."

"Of particular concern to Liberals and Democrats is Russia's record on Human Rights. Only when an independent judiciary, freedom of expression and democracy cease to exist solely as sound bites, and journalists, opposition movements and NGOs are able to operate without fear of retribution will Russia have proved its commitment to establishing a common space of freedom, security and justice, as agreed to when it signed up to membership of the Council of Europe and at the St. Petersburg summit.".

"Today's 'Victory Day should remind us that only sixty years ago interdependence helped us face down common challenges. It can do so again providing we have the courage to act."