Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

Diplomatic Relations

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he can influence and improve relations between Russia and the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19083/07]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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EU- Russia relations have entered a difficult period. There are disputes between Russia and a number of EU Member States, specifically the UK, Poland and the Baltic States. A series of incidents, most notably the murders of journalist Anna Politkovskaya in Moscow and former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London, have raised concerns about developments in Russia. In a number of important respects, notably media freedoms and space for dissent, the human rights situation appears to be deteriorating. It has not been possible to reach consensus on a negotiating mandate for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. Russia is nevertheless an indispensable partner for the European Union, not just in the economic field where there is a growing interdependence but, importantly, in relation to countries in the region which are now our common neighbours, and at the international level where the EU and Russia are able to work together constructively on issues such as the Middle East, Iran and North Korea.

Ireland fully shares the concern at EU level both at the difficult state of EU- Russia relations and at the developments which have contributed to it. The extent to which the EU can expect to influence trends in Russia, and the implications this has for EU- Russia relations, is a recurring topic in discussions with my EU colleagues. For my part, I see significant challenges in the relationship but I agree that the EU must continue to work to improve it. As happened under the recent Finnish and German Presidencies, the Union at all levels has to devote ongoing attention to Russia and to work steadily on improving relations.

In relative terms, Ireland's bilateral relationship with Russia is, for geographical and historical reasons, quite modest and our role in internal EU debate reflects this. Nevertheless, within the EU I personally, and my officials, have worked to support a balanced approach which takes account of areas both of agreement and of disagreement with Russia. We have also strongly argued for EU solidarity and cohesion.

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