MEPs urge Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine to pursue reform and Russia to leave
Russia must end its
direct or indirect involvement in conflicts in
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and
stop interfering with their EU aspirations,
say MEPs in a review, voted
on Thursday, of their progress
on reform. One year after
the three ratified their association and deep and comprehensive
free trade agreements (AA/DCFTAs) with the EU, MEPs
highlight remaining reform tasks for
each country and take note
of the 6 April Dutch referendum
on the EU-Ukraine deal.
In a resolution welcoming the progress
of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
on their "chosen path of
closer political and economic integration
with the European Union", MEPs call on
Russia to end its direct
or indirect involvement in conflicts in the
territories, including its occupation of Crimea.
They point out that
Georgia’s exports to the EU rose
by 15%, and Moldova’s by 62% in the first
year, and say they expect
to similar growth in those
from Ukraine.
MEPs also point out that
EU financial support must be matched
by concrete progress on reform.
Georgia: independence of
media and courts
MEPs worry about the independence
of the judiciary
and possible threats to media
pluralism in Georgia, referring, for example, to
a lawsuit over ownership of the
"Rustavi 2" broadcaster.
They back the idea of
sending an EU expert mission to oversee the
case.
They also criticize "blurred criteria" for appointing prosecutors and investigators and also the
“undue pressure” exerted on judges
at the Constitutional
Court of Georgia, pressure acknowledged by the Venice Commission
of the Council
of Europe.
Moldova: the new government must deliver
MEPs welcome the newly-approved government of Moldova,
which is now taking office
after more than a year of
stalemate and "systemic political instability". They also deplore the
theft of €1 billion from Moldova's
banking system, and urge that
those responsible be brought to
justice.
Ukraine: Russia’s shadow,
corruption, Dutch referendum
MEPs condemn Russia’s suspension of its
free trade agreement with Ukraine at the
very moment when the EU-Ukraine free trade deal
entered into force. They deplore
the "heavy trade restrictions" on Ukraine’s exports
to Russia, voice concerns about Ukraine's economic and financial
standstill and repeat the need
for further EU financial assistance. They call on
EU member states to avoid building
new gas pipelines
from Russia that bypass Ukraine,
such as "Nord Stream II".
They expect Ukraine’s leadership to fulfil
its commitments to fight "endemic" corruption, which, they say,
remains the biggest challenge to its reform
efforts.
MEPs also "take note" of the upcoming
Dutch referendum on the EU-Ukraine agreement and "trusts that the
decision of the Dutch people
will be taken
on the basis
of the merits
of the agreement,
recognising its tangible effects on the EU and
the Netherlands in particular".
European Parliament