Relationship with Russia like a dialogue of the deaf

“The relationship between the EU and Russia must improve”, said EPP Group MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten today. Oomen-Ruijten is a member of the European Parliament’s EU-Russia delegation. Russia remains one of the European Union's most important partners in building a strategic partnership, but at the moment there is a lack of confidence, real dialogue and willingness to clarify and solve issues.

"Against the background of unfolding events in Ukraine, disagreement on trade restrictions, human rights issues in Russia and the lack of progress in the negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, it is becoming obvious that we require an open and frank dialogue to clarify issues of mutual disagreement."

"The EU-Russia Summit last week only lasted 3 hours. This displays the poor status of our relationship", Oomen-Ruijten continued. “Enhanced cooperation and good neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are crucial for the stability, prosperity and security of the EU, Russia and our common neighbourhood, and should be based on the principles of reciprocity, democracy, human rights and rule of law", she concluded.