STRASBOURG, March 15 (Itar-Tass) —— The European Parliament approved a resolution devoted to the results of the presidential elections in Russia. The supreme legislature of the European Union had a vote on the issue at its plenary session on Thursday.
The European Parliament takes the results of the presidential elections in view of preliminary conclusions, which the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights had made, and notes the need for a very important cooperation with Russia, the resolution runs.
Being Russia’s strategic partner and a close neighbour, the EU was following with a keen interest the election process, public debates and widespread protest actions, which are related to presidential and parliamentary elections in Russia, the European deputies noted in the resolution. In this respect, all shortcomings and violations in the preparations and holding of these elections should be analyzed, the resolution runs.
The lawmakers recalled that Russia is a full-fledged member of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, because the country assumed relevant commitments to respect the principles of democracy and observe the human rights.
European lawmakers expressed hope that the Russian president elect will be ready to promote the reform of the political system, including easier rules of registration of political parties, independence of media, the freedom of assemblies and speech.