The European Parliament condemns Russia for the pressure on the post-Soviet countries

Baku/12.09.13/Turan-BS PRESS: At the plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament passed a resolution declaring the political and economic pressure from Russia on the post-Soviet countries unacceptable. The resolution reads that the EP considers "unacceptable, the different kinds of pressure" put on some countries-members of the EU "Eastern Partnership" Program (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus,) which are at the stage of completing or initialing bilateral association agreements with the EU.

"The European Parliament considers that the progressive integration between the partner countries and the EU is compatible with their desire to have good neighborly relations with Russia ... and calls on the Russian Federation to refrain from the increased pressure on the Eastern partners (EU), and fully respect their sovereign right to make their own political choices," the resolution said.

The parliamentarians believe that Russia is also interested in following the course of economic and political reforms by the former Soviet countries on the basis of values ​​and norms of the EU, because it would "extend the area of ​​stability, prosperity and cooperation along the border." In this regard, the EP called on the European Commission and the EU's foreign service to develop concrete and effective measures for the protection of community partners," and sent to all the countries of "Eastern Partnership" a strong signal of support of their aspirations and choice."

The European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule, speaking to MPs in Strasbourg, said earlier that Russia's actions in relation to the countries of the "Eastern Partnership" violate international principles. -02D-