COMMON STRATEGY ON RUSSIA
(21383)
9405/00
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Draft Council Report to the European Council on the Implementation of the Common Strategy of the European Union on Russia
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| Legal base: |
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| Department: |
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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| Basis of consideration:
| EM of 28 June 2000 |
| Previous Committee Report:
| None |
| Discussed in Council:
| 13 June 2000 and Feira European Council
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| Committee's assessment:
| Politically important |
| Committee's decision:
| Cleared |
11.1 In June 1999, the European Council
asked the General Affairs Council to review and evaluate the Union's
Common Strategy on Russia[20]
and to report to the European Council, at least annually, on progress
towards its objectives.
The Council report
11.2 Introducing the report, the Council
says that the conflict in the Northern Caucasus overshadowed EU-Russia
relations during the period. The EU was forthright in calling
for restraint and worked through all available channels to further
its aims, which included bringing to an end the military campaign
and disproportionate use of force against the Chechen population
and allowing the safe delivery of humanitarian aid. However, progress
in achieving these aims was incomplete and slow. Given the call
from the Helsinki Council to review implementation of the Common
Strategy and to suspend some parts of the Partnership and Co-operation
Agreement (PCA), the circumstances of this report are described
as "exceptional".
11.3 The report examines progress under
several headings:
— Consolidation of democracy, the rule of
law and public institutions in Russia
11.4 The EU supported preparations for the
elections in December 1999 (Duma) and March 2000 (Presidential).
The Commission was asked to prepare the TACIS Core Action Programme
2000 for Russia. This is designed to contribute to the defence
of individual rights and development of the rule of law.
— Co-operation to strengthen stability and
security in Europe and beyond
11.5 In spite of difficulties, the Council
says that:
"... an increase in the frequency and scope
of foreign policy dialogue on areas of common interest has been
a marked feature of the past few months. The Russians as well
as the EU have consciously chosen to overcome differences, and
have expressed their satisfaction at the results. These exchanges
have been notable for their open and frank character, reflecting
increased mutual trust".
11.6 A troika of EU Heads of Mission was
able to make a fact-finding visit to the Chechen Republic in April.
Implementation of the December 1999 Joint Action on an EU co-operation
programme for non-proliferation and disarmament in Russia is already
underway.
— Common challenges on the European continent
11.7 These include cross-border co-operation,
Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) issues and work on environmental
protection.
11.8 The report catalogues various JHA conferences
which Russia attended and notes that a Joint Action Plan to fight
organised crime, endorsed in April, underlines the need for Russia
to ratify and implement international conventions, giving priority
to those on extradition, mutual assistance, money laundering and
corruption. It notes that Russia was consulted during the preparation
of the Northern Dimension Action Plan, which aims to reinforce
cross-border co-operation.
— Council Conclusion
11.9 The Council concludes that the Common
Strategy has had a positive impact on relations with the Russian
authorities. Russia has prepared a document, The Russian mid-term
strategy for relations with the European Union, which the
Council regards as an acknowledgement of the growing importance
of the EU to Russia. Despite testing times for the relationship,
the dialogue has continued and the Council comments:
"The approach of constructive engagement underpinning
the Common Strategy has yielded results".
The Government's view
11.10 The Government supports the Common
Strategy and welcomes the report.
Conclusion
11.11 This provides a useful account
of actions taken under the Common Strategy and general analysis
of the extent to which the aims of the Strategy were fulfilled
during the past year. The problems are well-known, and it is not
surprising that progress has been slow in a number of important
areas. The real test of the Common Strategy will be its effectiveness
over a longer period of time; and, in considering future annual
reports, we will be interested to see whether "constructive
engagement" produces real results in relation both to Chechnya
and to the other problem areas of relations with Russia.
11.12 In the meantime, we clear this
document.
20 (20084) 7073/3/99; see HC 34-xxi (1998-99), paragraph
17 (26 May 1999) and HC 34-xix (1998-99), paragraph 13 (12 May
1999). Back
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