Relations between Russia and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) yesterday experienced one of the most dramatic moments in its history. PACE decided not to return the Russian delegation right key, but will return to this issue in April. Assembly condemned the policy of the Russian Federation in relation to Ukraine, but is ready to “go to boycott the dialogue” – if Russia will de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, although Moscow itself a party to the conflict does not recognize. Head of the delegation of the Russian Federation Alexei Pushkov declared: “We leave the PACE until the end of the year.” For dramatic discussion in Strasbourg correspondent watched “Y” MARIA EFIMOVA.
The outcome of the vote on the credentials of the Russian delegation was unpredictable until the very end. Options discussed by deputies of the Assembly include a wide range of possible sanctions – by deprivation of Russians “unimportant”, in their own words, the right kind of election monitoring to full cancellation of the powers of the Russian Federation to the PACE.
The split in the Assembly on the question of how to deal with Russian parliamentarians, delineated from the beginning of the session. Of the heads of the five political groups of the PACE for the hard version of the resolution clearly acted only Conservative leader, Briton Christopher Chope. And he expressed his opinion of the whole faction. Several representatives of the British delegation from the conservatives openly admitted, “Kommersant” that “does not see the point” in the full presence of members of the Russian parliament in the Assembly, because “there is a gross violation of the rules of the Council of Europe, the denial of this fact, and the lack of any desire to rectify the situation.” Briton Robert Walter, on behalf of the Conservatives in the debate, urged his colleagues “do not feed the bears, or bite the hand.”
The leaders of other political groups, although criticized Russia for its actions in the Ukraine, originally inclined to return to her right to vote in PACE.
Before the vote, the head of a small group of “United Left” Tiny Kox said “Y”: “We must not again punish the Russian parliamentarians. If we again take away their right to vote, it is not improve the situation in Ukraine, but takes the opportunity to bring PACE their position. If we relax the sanctions, we shall show that reason has prevailed over emotions. ” At the debate, Mr. Cox spoke about the responsibility of the Ukrainian authorities for the peace settlement. However, according to “Kommersant”, among the rank and file members of factions Unity “Russian question” was not there.
The vast majority of the vote on the eve of the continuation of an equal dialogue with Russia on a platform only supports the PACE Socialist Group, headed by speaker of the Russian Federation Assembly Andreas Gross, who more than once in an interview with “Y” spoke about inappropriate, not only depriving Russians key rights in PACE, but in general the economic sanctions of the West towards Russia. At yesterday’s discussion of it on behalf of the group said that the PACE should not punish Russia, and assume the role of “doctor”.
Confusion of opinion that prevails in PACE, was evident among the members of the Monitoring Committee, which the Assembly on Monday commissioned a report on the Russian theme. First, the deputies approved acceptable to the delegation of the Russian Federation draft resolution – to return it (at least until June) the right to vote and work in the governing bodies, but deny the possibility to act as speakers, participate in election observation and to provide organs Assembly. The corresponding document was the head of the Monitoring Committee, the Austrian Socialist Stefan Shennah, and he was clearly happy with the Russian delegation.
However, the last meeting of the relevant committee held on Wednesday on the eve of the vote, changed the balance: more than 15 radical amendments to the draft resolution (proposed mainly by deputies of Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, the Baltic countries and the UK), it was recommended to take one, but an important principle – of depriving the Russian delegation of key rights, including the right to vote until June. The amendment was adopted by a majority of one vote – to the obvious displeasure of the Russians and Mr. Shennaha, who felt that it violates the logic of the text drawn up by them.
Opening the debate, Stefan Shennah said: “Despite the presence of Russian troops in Ukraine, continued boycott of the Russian delegation is undesirable. In order to resolve the pressing issues (in particular, the release of Hope Savchenko), you must go to the dialogue. ” He thus made it clear that the fate of the people accused of involvement in the murder of Russian journalist Ukrainian pilots and part-time deputy PACE (having an opinion of the relevant committee of the Assembly, immunity against prosecution) was a key when discussing with the Russians in their delegations of authority PACE. This is indirectly confirmed by the head of the delegation of the Russian Federation Alexei Pushkov. “All the talk and requirements (in terms of Savchenko) can make sense only in one case: if the Russian delegation will be composed of the PACE,” – he said yesterday.
As a result, the Assembly voted for the resolution rests with the Russian Federation responsibility for the conflict in the east of Ukraine and called on Moscow to contribute to the world – mainly ceasing to supply weapons and send troops to the conflict zone. Assembly of the Russian Federation decided not to return the right to vote and participate in the governing bodies, but is ready to go, “the boycott to dialogue” if Russia will de-escalation of the conflict and Ukrainian demonstrate progress in the implementation of Minsk ceasefire agreements. PACE will return to the question of the powers of the Russian Federation in April. The resolution also calls on the Russian authorities to release Savchenko Hope “for 24 hours or transfer it to a third party.”
After the vote, Alexei Pushkov said: “PACE delegation leaves before the end of the year.”
“The requirements that PACE puts forward, is not always perceived by the Russian side as appropriate and feasible. But the resolution and not binding, their formulations vary from session to session, and all are well aware – said “Kommersant” a source in the Council Evropy.- Regardless of the resolution, the important thing demonstrated this session (particularly impressive Russian delegation), – that the parties are still interested in each other, that we are the release of the Russian Federation of the Council of Europe does not go, and that inter-parliamentary dialogue, despite the tightening of the EU’s position is ongoing. It is important that the participants in this dialogue did not forget what his true purpose. ”
No comments:
Post a Comment