Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-06-18-Speech-1-143"
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"en.20070618.16.1-143"2
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".
Madam President, listening to the rapporteur and also to the Commissioner, Mrs Kroes, I have to say that I can identify with both. I share the rapporteur’s concerns, but I also appreciate the Commissioner’s pragmatism, because it is indeed the case that economic relations between the EU and Russia are blossoming. As already stated, the EU is Russia’s most important trading partner and this trade continues to grow, just as investments continue to be made.
Last weekend, a lot of good work was done during the economic forum in St Petersburg, and according to the reports, there was little evidence of the frosty atmosphere which prevailed during the EU-Russia Summit in May. We cannot see politics and economics in isolation from one another just like that, and on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, I have focused on the political dimension of the trade relations and economic relations between the European Union and Russia. In doing so, I wanted to stress the political significance of economic relations.
The economy has a bearing on political relations, and stronger economic ties can, in my view, contribute to the mutual atmosphere in which tricky political issues can easily be resolved. This does not happen of its own accord, though, as neatly epitomised, most of all, by the energy issue. It is, on the one hand, one of the most important pillars of the special political ties between the European Union and Russia, but at the same time, the current frictions indicate that agreements must be struck as a matter of priority.
In this context, we endorse Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation, which should contribute greatly to the transparency of Russian market rules and considerably improve the investment climate. At the same time, it should subject Russia to a number of rules that apply worldwide and thus reduce the risk of trade policy being used as a weapon. The Russians themselves realise only too well that they stand to benefit from good trade relations with the European Union. Economic relations very much underpin mutual political relations, and the growth potential is enormous.
This will also help Russia realise that it will have to find common ground within Europe, not least politically speaking. Not only in terms of trade, but also where human rights, democracy and dormant conflicts with common neighbours are concerned. It is absolutely vital that the right balance be struck here. The EU must enshrine these agreements in an improved agreement which is to supersede the present Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This once again exemplifies the close relationship between the economy and politics.
Finally, the negotiations have run aground on account of a trade conflict which translates politically as a conflict between the European Union and Russia. In short, we are in favour of a pragmatic approach, but the political dimension cannot be seen in isolation from the economic dimension, even where trade relations are concerned."@en1
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