Vilnius summit: EU must reject pressure by Russia and stand by its partners

This is a critical time for our Eastern Partners - we reject Russian pressure and stand by our partners. The Syrian crisis calls for a firm stand against Assad and also places increased responsibility on Russia and China to allow the International Community to put an end to the bloodshed.

At the eve of the Informal Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers, to which Elmar Brok has been invited to debate Syria in the presence of US Secretary of State Kerry, and after a bilateral meeting with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Brok voiced his concern:

At the closing of the Conference Brok remarked that these are dramatic times which call for decisive action by the EU. "I hope that the Foreign Ministers meeting today and tomorrow will stand up to the challenge they have before them. Russia's aggressive behaviour cannot be tolerated. The Soviet Union is gone and Russia has accepted to be part of a world order based on the rule of law. Russia is member of the WTO, has signed the Helsinki Declaration, and most of all is permanent Member of the UN Security Council. Russia cannot ignore its obligations and go about threatening other countries".  Brok denounced the use by Russia of trade and energy for political purposes against its neighbours and their sovereign decisions. "The European Parliament will work to ensure a successful Vilnius Summit".

"The Syrian crisis is a major test for the International Community - we must be united not only in responding to the horrendous crimes committed by the Assad regime but also in providing political and diplomatic answers and solutions. I sincerely hope that in St. Petersburg the EU leaders present, together with our US partners, will deliver a clear message to President Putin that Russia cannot afford to be politically and economically isolated but that this is what it is going to happen if it pursues this policy of supporting, at whatever costs and despite the violation of international treaties, rogue states like Syria".