Barry Cowen
Question:129. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is concerned at recent developments in Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33698/21]
View answerThursday, 24 June 2021
Questions (129)
Written answers
Ireland and the EU attach considerable importance to the management of our complex relationship with Russia and to developments within that country. It is discussed regularly at EU level including at the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 June. Relations with Russia will also form part of the discussions at the European Council taking place on 24/25 June, where An Taoiseach and his counterparts will discuss the EU's approach to the strategic relationship with our largest neighbour. This follows a substantive discussion on this strategic relationship at the European Council on 24 May.
On 16 June, High Representative Josep Borrell presented a Joint Communication on EU-Russia relations. The Communication recognises that the relationship has deteriorated since 2014. There was also clear acknowledgement our policy towards Russia continues to be guided by the following five principles, first agreed in 2016:
1. full implementation of the Minsk peace agreements in relation to the conflict in Ukraine as key to any substantial change in the relationship;
2. closer ties with Russia’s former Soviet neighbours;
3. strengthening EU resilience to Russian threats;
4. selective engagement with Russia where this is clearly in the EU’s interest;
5. increased support for people-to-people contacts and for Russian civil society as a whole.
Ireland has made our concern about the imprisonment of Alexei Navalny very clear and we continue to call for his release. We have also raised concerns around human rights abuses in Russia and we will continue to do so.
It is important to remain open to areas where the EU can have constructive engagement with Russia on issues of strategic importance to us, while adhering to the five principles. In this regard, Ireland supports the strengthening of people-to-people contacts, engagement with Russia on global issues of concern, including Climate Security, and continued support to Russian civil society and human rights defenders.