Gerard Murphy
Question:22 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the timescale for Russia's accession to the common European economic space. [26788/03]
Written Answers. - International Agreements.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:25 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the fact that there is evidence of widespread denial of human rights in the Russian Federation; and the steps which have been taken either bilaterally or through the European Union to raise these issues with the Russian authorities and in particular at the EU - Russian Summit on 6 November 2003. [26627/03]
Joe Sherlock
Question:48 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the recent EU-Russian Federation summit; if the question of human rights within Russia was raised at the summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26724/03]
Simon Coveney
Question:69 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding current and ongoing discussions between the EU and Russian Federation regarding the movement of goods and peoples between the Russian Federation mainland and Kaliningrad. [26790/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 25, 48 and 69 together.
The 12th EU-Russia summit took place in Rome on 6 November 2003. The European Union was represented in Presidency Troika format – that is, by the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Berlusconi, the Secretary General-High Representative, Mr. Solana, and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Prodi. President Putin represented the Russian Federation. The agenda consisted of five items: EU-Russia relations; building the four spaces; developments in Russia; developments in the EU and international issues.
The summit specifically sought to make progress on the four spaces between the EU and Russia which were agreed at the St. Petersburg summit on 31 May 2003 – common economic space, space of external security, space of internal security, and education and culture. The summit agreed to intensify and focus efforts to fulfil the decision to create these common spaces. It also endorsed the work to date of the high level group on the common European economic space and agreed to continue this work, taking full account of the recommendations of the HLG report with a view to achieving tangible results as soon as possible.
The summit also reaffirmed the joint commitment of the EU and Russia to implement, as soon as possible and in full, the package on Kaliningrad agreed in November 2002, including the launch of a high-speed train feasibility study before the end of 2003. The summit noted both the success of EU-Russia co-operation in the facilitation of the transit of Russian citizens and positive developments in the field of customs co-operation. The summit also took note of the fourth progress report on the energy dialogue.
The situation in Chechnya was discussed at the summit and EU concerns were also raised with the Russian Federation in the course of an EU Troika meeting with Foreign Minister Ivanov in Moscow on 25 October last. I represented the incoming Presidency at this meeting. As the Deputy is aware, I share the views often expressed in this House with regard to human rights abuses in the Russian Federation, including in Chechnya. The Irish Government recognises the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. We acknowledge the right and responsibility of the Russian Government to oppose terrorism and crime and to protect its citizens. In this context, I strongly condemn the terrorist bomb attacks which have caused significant loss of life in Chechnya and in neighbouring republics this year. However, the fight against terrorism in the Russian Federation as elsewhere must be conducted in accordance with internationally accepted human rights standards. Unfortunately, as I have often noted in this House, there continue to be credible reports of human rights violations committed by Russian troops against Chechen civilians. Such occurrences can only hinder prospects for long-term peace and reconciliation. I can only encourage the Russian Government to intensify the efforts it has made to eliminate such incidents and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
During Ireland's EU Presidency next year, Ireland, in co-ordination with our EU partners, will continue to raise the EU's concerns with the Russian Federation in all appropriate fora, to encourage the Russian Government to intensify the efforts it has made to eliminate human rights violations in Chechnya and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The ultimate aim must be to bring about improvements in the daily lives of the people of Chechnya.