Russian pressure exerted on the Eastern Partnership countries
Resolution adopted by the EPP Political Assembly (5th September 2013, Brussels)
Share this paper:
Download this paper:
The EU’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) project has been under threat since, in an alarming move, Russia continues to escalate the pressure it exerts on neighbouring countries. Specifically, it has launched trade disputes with Ukraine and Moldova and threatened the national interests of Armenia, which has forced Armenia into the Eurasian Customs Union. Moreover, this activity is accompanied by a massive information campaign by Russia aimed at discrediting the benefits of the EU Association Agreement as well as targeting key proponents of EU integration.
The Eurasian Union is an instrument being used by the Russian leadership to prevent neighbouring countries enhancing their integration with Europe in order to maintain them as Russian satellite states. Successive EU enlargements have brought Eastern Partnership countries closer to the EU and their security, stability and prosperity increasingly impact upon the EU.
The European People’s Party is convinced that this unacceptable behaviour by Russia will have a negative impact on EU-Russia relations.
Therefore, the European Peoples Party:
Urges the Russian Federation to stop using manipulation and blackmail and to apply the principle of sovereign equality, non-intervention in internal affairs and good cooperation between states.
Condemns the pressure brought to bear by Russia on the Armenian government and regrets the decision of Armenian President to join the Eurasian Customs Union, which undermines the achievements of Armenia towards the EU.
Expresses strong support to Ukraine and Moldova, who despite the pressure continue the implementation of the European integration agenda.
Calls on the President of Ukraine to implement the respective criteria which will enable the EU to sign the Association Agreement with Ukraine at Vilnius EaP Summit in November.
Concerned by the statement of Georgian Prime Minister regarding the ambiguous position towards the Customs Union and encourages Georgia to continue its policy towards European integration.
Underlines the EU's responsibility to act and defend EaP countries. Both the European Commission and the European External Action Service have to take stronger positions. The inability of the EU to adequately react to the behaviour of Russia could trigger a further acceleration of Russian pressure against EaP partners, with negative implications for the future development of the EaP.
Stresses that the membership in the Eurasian Customs Union is incompatible with concluding the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreements.
The EPP Manifesto, also adopted at the 2012 EPP Congress in Bucharest, outlines the basic principles of the Party summary.
The EPP Manifesto, also adopted at the 2012 EPP Congress in Bucharest, outlines the basic principles of the Party summarising who we are, what our values are, what challenges are we facing and what vision we have for the future. The Manifesto was developed in parallel to the EPP Platform document within the EPP Working Group 1 for “European Policy”.
The EPP Platform is the core programme of our party outlining our main values, explaining the challenges our society is facing and presenting our vision for the future of European Union.
The Party Platform was developed in EPP Working Group 1 for “European Policy” chaired by EPP President Wilfried MARTENS ?and EPP Vice President Peter HINTZE. The Working Group consists of delegates of EPP member parties who prepared and worked?on this document for more than two years and received input?from the drafting committee as well as senior and young experts. The document was adopted at the 2012 EPP Congress in Bucharest, thus replacing the Basic Programme of Athens from 1992.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below.
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
The European People’s Party (EPP) maintains this website to enhance public access to information about its initiatives. Our goal is to keep this information timely and accurate. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. This privacy policy will explain how our organisation uses the personal data we collect from you when you use our website.
If you would like to read more about our use of cookies please view our Privacy policy.
Your Privacy
When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience.
Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms.
You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.
All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.