Speech by President Schulz at the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga

Met dank overgenomen van Voorzitter Europees Parlement (EP-voorzitter) i, gepubliceerd op vrijdag 22 mei 2015.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When we came together at the last Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius two years ago, no one could have foreseen the dramatic events that unfolded in its wake. The illegal annexation of Crimea has shaken the European security architecture. And the conflict in Eastern Ukraine continues to weigh heavily on our relationship with Russia.

Yet, one thing has changed from Vilnius to Riga: the EU's overall capacity to respond to the peoples' hopes for a better future and to the challenges in the region has improved substantially.

Firstly, we have witnessed a solidarity and unity in European foreign policy until then unknown. We Europeans now speak with one voice and stand united. So far we have resisted all attempts to divide us. The EU has also taken concrete steps to reinforce its security, defence, energy and neighbourhood policies, and to come up with an effective communications strategy. I want to say one thing very clearly: the Eastern Partnership was never directed against anyone. On the contrary, the Eastern Partnership is for democracy and constructive dialogue, for prosperity and stability in the region. And the EU remains committed to finding a political solution with Russia based on the respect of international law and the Minsk agreements.

Secondly, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have signed and ratified Association Agreements with the EU. We have never seen in history that two chambers - European Parliament and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - would ratify the same agreement simultaneously. And the agreements are already bearing first fruits. I am confident that as of January 2016 the association with the EU will also bring real benefits to the Ukrainians. Moldova since one year is already enjoying the visa-free regime. While both Georgia and Ukraine are approaching it fast. Emboldened by the Maidan experience, civil societies across the region have become stronger and better organised.More than ever, our Eastern partners can rest assured that the EU will resolutely stand by the peoples who have made a courageous European choice. The EU is called upon to send a credible signal regarding their European perspective.

Thirdly, the EU has assisted the war-torn and economically challenged Ukraine with unprecedented financial and political backing. We remain committed to supporting the Eastern Partnership countries on their reform path, with a "more for more" and "less for less" approach. The European Parliament is assisting the Ukrainian and Moldovan chambers through capacity-building programs. Corruption, lack of independence of the judiciary and weak institutions continue to pose serious problems. Yet trust and stability will only come as a result of key judicial, constitutional and anti-corruption reforms at home. When we look at Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, we do see encouraging results but still a lot of work ahead. Concerning Belarus, we welcome the agreement on visa facilitation, yet the unconditional release of all political prisoners remains a pre-condition for closer dialogue. A member of our Social Democratic family - Nikolai Statkevich - has been in prison for the last five years. And the conviction of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan violates the very values theEastern Partnership is founded on. For the European Parliament, Fundamental rights are non-negotiable.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is not the time to resign, to withdraw or to abandon the region. It is the time to learn the lessons of the current geostrategic crisis and to make our engagement with the region stronger, more strategic and more focused. The Eastern Partnership has the potential to be a great success story. And we owe it to our citizens to make it a success to assure a better, safer and more predictable future for the region and the European continent.

Thank you for your attention