European Parliament Urges Russia to Sign Border Treaties with Estonia and Latvia

The European Parliament on 26 February passed a recommendation to the EU's Council of Ministers that lists a number of issues that Russia should resolve to facilitate good-neighborly relations. The recommendation is expected to be taken into consideration in March, when the EU summit discusses future relations between the EU and Russia. "Russia must understand that the EU no longer intends to take part in any negotiations over signing and ratifying the border treaty with Latvia and Estonia," Europarliamentarian Bastian Belder (the Netherlands) said. "The negotiation stage is over and Russia should act as a respectful partner and immediately approve the mentioned treaties." Belder also said that "I believe that Latvia and Estonia have implemented all the Copenhagen criteria, including protection of minorities." The recommendation called on Russia to accept extending the EU-Russian Partnership and Cooperation Agreement when the 10 acceding states join the union on