Visit of Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, to Russia in the light of the recent crackdown on protestors and the opposition. Statement of Josep BORRELL FONTELLES and extracts of the debate. Statements of MEPs: Clare DALY (The Left, IE) , Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO), Anna FOTYGA (ECR, PL), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Kati PIRI (S&D, NL) and Sergey LAGODINSKY (GREENS/EFA, DE)

Brussels

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

GAHLER, Michael (EPP, DE)

European Parliament

FOTYGA, Anna (ECR, PL)

PIRI, Kati (S&D, NL)

CIOLOŞ, Dacian (Renew, RO)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

DALY, Clare (The Left, IE)

LAGODINSKY, Sergey (Greens/EFA, DE)

foreign affairs and security policy (T)

Visit of the HRVP to Russia in the light of the recent crackdown on protestors and the opposition: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, We will discuss this issue at the Foreign Affairs Council in the next 22nd of February, at the European Union Council in March. We will provide guidance on the way forward and it will be for the member states to decide the next step. But yes, this could include sanctions and I will put forward concrete proposals using the right of initiative that the High Representative has.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, At the same time, despite any difficulty, it is a key importance to preserve a space for official engagement where it is in our interest. Russia remains our biggest neighbour. We must define a modus vivendi that will avoid a permanent confrontation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, Russia has been trying to divide us. They seek to divide us. They haven't succeed on Ukraine and on human rights issues. They haven't suceeded in dividing us. This seemed to be a clear objective during my visit. We should not fail into these traps. On my side. Mr President, honourable members, I will continue defending the need to speak and maintain channels of communication open, looking at each other in the eyes, especially on issues that are conflictual.

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, During my meeting with Minister Lavrov, the discussion became heated as I call for Mr Navalny's immediate and unconditional release, as well as full, full and impartial investigation into his assassination attempt. I also ask him if I could meet Alexei Navalny, they addressed me to the court, it was impossible due to time constraints and the fact that Mr Navalny was sitting in front of the court at that time. But a senior member of my delegation met with Mr Navalny's lawyer, during the visit. And we will continue maintaining contact with the team to signify our support.

I just want to repeat once again the message that I went there to pass on. The European Union protest condemns asks for investigations into the situa the circumstances that occurred around Mr. Hollande and that we believe that this was an unjust ruling. We urge respect of the rights and the human rights of Russian citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Russia is the aggressor in Ukraine and elsewhere, not us. Russian authorities have people murdered at home and abroad, not us. Russia secures dictators in power, not us. Things are now crystal clear. No more wishful thinking, no more appeasement. This Russian leadership does not seek dialogue, even less so before the Duma elections. These Russian leaders are adversaries of the EU and want to divide us. We Europeans must now act together and defend our values and interests. We demand a clear message of unity and determination from the council and our leaders.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kati PIRI (S&amp;D, NL), What we need is a united strategy strategy on Russia, not an appeasement. In view of the challenges Russia is posing to our security. This means that the Council will have to come with clear and tough sanctions against Putin and his enablers.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Dacian CIOLO&#350; (RE, RO), Your visit to Moscow at this moment was, in my opinion, a mistake. Proper attention wasn't paid to the fact that there was no room to act to put on pressure for Navalny to be liberated from prison. Of course, we want to maintain diplomatic channels open, and I won't deny that. But an official visit to Russia, given the backdrop, given the tensions, takes on a symbolic value. We believe this visit has sent out the wrong diplomatic message.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA, DE), We have to stop trying to cooperate with Putin in some way. We have to stop bringing down Gerhard Schr&ouml;der's viability at the end. We have to make more offensive attacks on Russia. We have to think about sanctions. And yes, we have to think about stopping Nord Stream too.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anna FOTYGA (ECR, PL), You decided to go there and was led to a trap carefully prepared by Sergei Lavrov. You decided to to to do this against the advice of of countries of my region and politicians in the European Parliament over political divisions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Clare DALY (The Left, IE), This isn't about human rights. This is a geopolitical agenda against Russia, fuelled by a military industrial complex who needs an enemy to justify their millions. Of course, your right to go to Russia, we should be engaged in dialogue, not war.