EU-Russia relations

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has strongly condemned the assassination this weekend of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Greens co-President Daniel Cohn-Bendit states that this tragic development is symtomatic of the climate of fear and systematic repression of fundermental rights under the Putin administration...

The group is calling on the European Commission and Council to make a declaration at the forthcoming mini-plenary session of the European Parliament on the assassination and the possible implications for EU-Russia relations in the context of the upcoming negotiations on a successor to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1).  Commenting on the assassination, Greens Co-President Dany Cohn-Bendit said:

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Anna Politkovskaya and express our sincere condolences to her family. The assassination of Anna Politkovskaya is a tragic development, which is symptomatic of the climate of fear and systematic repression of fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression, under the Putin administration. Russia has expressed its interest in deepening its relationship with the EU in a possible successor to the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which is due to be negotiated next year. If this is to be taken seriously, it is imperative that the EU place human rights and the freedom of expression at the heart of any future agreement."

Green MEP Bart Staes, former chairperson of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Russia, added:

"The conduct of the Russian investigation into the assassination and its conclusions must conform with the provisions of the existing agreement. The Greens/EFA group has repeatedly expressed its concern about the lack of independence of the judiciary in Russia and demands that the investigation is independent and impartial."

Commenting on the consequences of the assassination for EU-Russian relations, French Green and President of the EP Sub-Committee on Human Rights Hélène Flautre said:

"Anna Politkovskaya was murdered because she told the truth. This tragedy should drive home to the EU the need to ensure that issues such as human rights and the freedom of the press must be the main focus of dialogue on relations with Russia. I call on the Council and the Commission to inform the EP of any concrete proposals in this area arising in the framework of the forthcoming EU-Russia 'Consultation on Human Rights'."

The Greens/EFA group had the opportunity to work directly with Anna Politkovskaya on a number of occasions, notably on issues such as civil society in Russia, freedom of expression and, most recently in December 2003, on war crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Chechnia.

Editors notes: (1) The Greens/EFA group sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament calling for the item to be added to the agenda of the session on 11-12 October and to request that the Council and Commission make a declaration to this end.

Press Service of the Greens/EFA Group
in the European Parliament

Richard More O' Ferrall,
Press Officer,
The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament
Tel: Brussels +32 2 2841667 / Strasburg +33 3 88174375
Mobile: +32-477-44-38-42
Fax: 0032 2 2844944
email: richard.moreoferrall@europarl.europa.eu