The European Parliament adopted by 497 votes to 121,
with 21 abstentions, a resolution on Ukraine.
The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR,
ALDE, Greens/EFA groups as well as Valentinas MAZURONIS (EFDD, LT)
and Iveta GRIGULE (EFDD, LV).
Association Agreements (AA) and European perspectives
of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia:
Parliament welcomed the signing of the
remaining provisions of the AA, including the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), and is convinced that it
will be a driving force for political and economic reform, bringing
about modernisation, strengthening the rule of law and stimulating
economic growth. It stresses that the AA/ DCFTA is in no way
connected to NATO integration.
In addition, Parliament warmly welcomed the signing of
the Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova. It refuted the
adoption of punitive trade measures by Russia against
those countries that have signed Association Agreements with the
EU, as these agreements do not pose threats to Russia. It stressed
that these moves are in contradiction with World Trade Organisation
rules, are politically motivated and are therefore not
acceptable.
It reiterated its view that the AAs with Ukraine and
the other EaP countries do not constitute the final goal in their
relations with the EU. Members stressed that, in this connection
that, pursuant to Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union,
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine like any other European
state have a European perspective and may apply to
become members of the Union provided that they adhere to the
principles of democracy, respect fundamental freedoms and human and
minority rights and ensure the rule of law.
President Porochenko:
Members welcomed the election of President Poroshenko and supported
his decisive actions to guarantee the unity, sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Ukraine. They urged Russia to
fulfil its international obligations, to genuinely commit to
peaceful settlement negotiations and to use its real influence to
stop any violence. They called for a new meeting of the
Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement in south-eastern
Ukraine, and supports new forms of communication between the
parties.
Unity of Ukraine:
Members reiterated that the international community supports the
unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and urged
the Ukrainian security forces to fully respect international
humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL)
when conducting so-called anti-terrorist operations. They called on
rebels and mercenaries to do the same and not use civilians as
human shields.
Parliament condemned Russias aggression on
Crimea as a grave violation under international law of
Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejected the
Russian policy of the fait accompli in foreign
relations.
It considered that the annexation of Crimea to be
illegal and refused to recognise Russian de facto rule on the
peninsula. Parliament is deeply concerned about the safety of
ordinary people who remain trapped in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas
and called on Russia to support the peace plan with true
determination.
Sanctions and embargos:
Parliament welcomed the extension of the current sanctions to a
further 11 people, most of whom are officials of the so-called
separatist authorities. They called for an arms and dual-use
technology embargo. It also called for a collective ban on the
sale of arms to Russia and urged its implementation until the
situation in eastern Ukraine has normalised. It warned that any
further steps by Russia to destabilise Ukraine will lead to
additional and far-reaching consequences for EU-Russian
relations.
The European Council is urged to adopt a more
coherent and firmer strategy and to speak with one
voice vis-à-vis the Ukrainian crisis and the
behaviour of the Russian Government, including on matters related
to EU energy security. Members deplored the fact that some Member
States are showing disunity in this regard and a lack of EU
solidarity.
Independent investigation and reconciliation
process: Members called for an
independent and impartial investigation of all the deadly events
and crimes against humanity that have taken place in all parts of
Ukraine since November 2013, with the inclusion of a strong
international component and under the supervision of the Council of
Europe, and for those responsible to be brought to justice. They
underlined the need for confidence-building between various
communities in society, and called for a sustainable reconciliation
process. They emphasised, in this context, the importance of
establishing an inclusive national dialogue and of avoiding
propaganda, hate speech and rhetoric including from Russia which
may further aggravate the conflict. In parallel, they considered
that it is of the utmost importance to start a gradual process of
decentralising central powers to regional and municipal
administrations without undermining the internal balance of powers
or the effective functioning of the state.
European mission:
Parliament welcomed the decision to establish a
robust civilian common security and defence policy mission to
Ukraine and called on the VP/HR and the Member States to speed up
its deployment. It reiterated its support for President
Poroshenkos intention to hold early parliamentary
elections.
Parliament also expressed deep concern over the
worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in eastern
Ukraine and Crimea (torture, killings, disappearances of
journalists and activists, and hostage taking, including cases of
child abduction) and supported the call to establish a single and
regularly updated register of incidents of reported
abductions.
Gas supply: lastly,
Parliament underlined the need to find a clear, fair and stable
solution to ensure the security of gas supply from Russia to
Ukraine, as this is a necessary prerequisite for the economic
development and stability of Ukraine. In this regard, the EU should
continue to play its role in facilitating an agreement allowing
Ukraine to pay a competitive price, which is not politically
motivated, for its gas purchases. It stressed that the use of
energy resources as a foreign policy tool undermines the long-term
credibility of Russia as a reliable trading partner for the EU. It
called on the Member States to ensure sufficient gas supply
through reverse gas flow from neighbouring states in the
EU.