During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, military build-up on Ukraine's border and Russian attacks in Czechia. Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

EU - Czechia (T)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

foreign affairs and security policy (T)

Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, military build-up on Ukraine's border and Russian attacks in Czechia: Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

SOUNDBITE (Original), Heidi HAUTALA, Vice-President of the European Parliament - Ladies and gentlemen, the sitting is resumed. Could we have silence, please, for...

SOUNDBITE (Original), Heidi HAUTALA, Vice-President of the European Parliament - Thank you very much. We have a decision on the composition of certain groups and these will be minuted in today's minutes and will enter into force pursuant to the date that was entered. Mr. Holloway will be a member of the delegation concerning relations with the US and the EU.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Heidi HAUTALA, Vice-President of the European Parliament - Now we have the vice president of the commission, high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. We have a statement now.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Heidi HAUTALA, Vice-President of the European Parliament - Concerning the Foreign Affairs Committee and security policy, we'll be looking at Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, military build up on Ukraine's border and Russian attack in the Czech Republic. I'd like to give the floor to the high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs. You have the floor, sir.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mrs president, dear members of the European parliament, our relations with Turkey, from these three events that the president has mentioned, shows that our relations with Russia continues deteriorating.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy These three particular issues that you want us to address today are clear examples of that to Russia's destabilising policy against Ukraine despite ongoing withdrawal of its military from Ukrainian borders, that's a good news, but they were there for a long time, with a lot of resources.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Second ago, some internal development, particularly in the case of Mr. Navalny. Yes, he went out of his hunger... fight, but what has happened has happened.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And third, recent diplomatic crisis after finding of criminal acts in the Czech Republic carried out by Russia intelligence services, the Czech Republic authorities claim. So our relations with Russia are once again at a low point.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Unfortunately, we cannot discard that this negative trend continues and that we reach even more dangerous levels of deterioration.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And without wanting to fit further dynamic of escalation, nothing more far away from my intention. We don't want to fit a dynamic of escalation, let it be clear, we nevertheless are showing that we will not accept intimidatory practics.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And that we had to respond to them if they happen. Let's go first to the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The recent military build-up in the proximity of Ukrainian borders, more than 100000 soldiers and illegally annexed Crimea, has severely affected aggravated the security situation in the region.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Last week, we had an in-depth exchange with European Union foreign ministers and Ukrainian foreign ministers, and our message was clear, to Russian actions are completely unacceptable, and we firmly support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its international recognised borders.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Sorry. Russia must cease its provocation and cooperate on a description of the tensions instead of portraying itself as a neutral mediator. That's what Russia is doing now.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We don't have anything to do with the conflict in Ukraine. They are just there to try to mediate an external problem in which they don't intervene directly.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy This pretention must be debunked because up to now, Russia has shown no willingness to end the conflict on terms that would safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence for Russia, with full implementation of the agreement, it's a, not a key condition, but as it is, it's a key condition, but a substantial improvement of our relations.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And for the European Union, an independent and prosperous Ukraine is indispensable element, whether it be stability and security, and that's why we should Ukraine to continue the pace of reform, because nothing better to face Russia to said to be a country with a fully democratic system.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Freed of corruption and using our resources that we are very much ready to provide in order to brief, to improve the quality of the governance of the country.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Looking ahead, we need to continue to pass coordinated messages of steadfast support for Ukraine and we participate in the summit of the Crimea Crimean platform this August.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We should also stand ready to look into options for additional responses should Russia escalate on cross less like second on the health situation of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, their voice has been very much strong and united.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We made you a statement on behalf of the 27 calling the Russian authorities to grant Mr. Navalny immediate access to the doctors that he trust. The Russian authorities are responsible for his safety and health and will be accountable for it.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Finally, last week, Mr. Navalny was finally taken to the civilian hospital and examined by independent doctors as we were required. So after he called off his hunger strike.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We will maintain our strong goals, the same message that they went to school to tell to the Russian minister, eye to eye, face to face, the same message for a call, a strong call, ensuring the right conditions for Mr. Navalny, his speedy recovery.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And on top of the international efforts, as you know, last Wednesday, thousands of courageous people went to the streets of Russia to further demand freedom and justice instead. In response, the prosecutor's officer has asked that Mr. Navalny anti-corruption network be qualified as an extremist organisation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And I certainly express our grave concern about it yesterday. I am quite pessimistic. Unfortunately, we cannot expect that things will be improving during the next electoral process in Russia in September elections will bring more limitations to fundamental freedoms in the run up of these elections.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And third, on the involvement of Russian military intelligence and explosion of ammunition depot in the Czech Republic in 2014, it's true it's seven years ago. But even if it happened.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The conclusion by the Czech authorities that officers of the Russian military intelligency, the GRU, who perpetrated this attack causing the death of two Czech citizens, are extremely serious.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The fact that it happened seven years ago doesn't decrease the gravity of these facts. This is not about military intelligence. This is about a grave criminal offence that runs counter to Russia international obligations and such behaviour cannot be accepted.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And that is why they have to insist once again on the idea that we have to use the three verbs that they use: then, to engage and to push back. I will go back to this idea after listening to all of you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Well, let me clearly extend our full support and solidarity with the Czech Republic. The symmetric response by Russia expelling diplomats and now threatening with limitations in a number of local staff is being met by the determined response from the European Union and its member states.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Dear members, I have to finish, but let me remind you that our policy framework over Russia based into five principles continue, we will work on internal resilience, fighting against hybrid and cyber threats, and strengthening our engagement with our Eastern neighbours to assist the Russian people stepping to board to the Russian civil society and human rights defenders, and by enhancing people to people contact.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We will continue signalling to Russia that we are ready to engage in areas of clear interest. This is also true. We have to engage. As you said, contain back and engage, because we need to engage with Russia in areas which are of a clear, shared shared interest, a mention TCPOA and I can add climate change.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We need to maintain channels of communication with Moscow and ready to do so. And we stand also ready to improve relations if needed, if possible, with the Russian government, if they show a genuine willingness to do so.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy And certainly with full respect of our values, principles and interests. I have to say to finish, Mr. President, I see a worrying trend on the Russian authorities that seems to be choosing to deliberately deepen the confrontation with the west, with us, including through continued attacks on disinformation and other negative activities.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy We must therefore define a modus vivendi that will avoid permanent confrontation with a neighbour, who seems to have decided to act as an adversary.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy I am looking forward to listen to you, to know from your positions and I know there will be many on the right and to take some stock of it in my concluding remarks, because I think that we have to be prepared for a longer hard period in our relationship with Russia.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy I thank you, Mrs. President, and thank you, members of the European Parliament, for having this opportunity. Let's make good use of it. Thank you.