Thanks to a unanimous stance and close cooperation between Lithuania and other Baltic States, the EU member states' joint position disapproves of how Russia's politicised resolution continues to bring up matters unrelated to combating racism, and highlights the author's ambition to monopolise the field of historical interpretation, as seen from Russia's attempts to justify the criminal Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. The EU statement also refutes the myth of the 'liberation' of Europe after World War II, highlights the countries' occupation after the war and crimes against humanity.
The EU also voices concerns that the author of this resolution may wish to abuse the fight against neo-Nazism in the context of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and reminds about the illegal annexation of Crimea.
The EU joint statement reiterates a strong determination of the EU member states to fight against all forms of racism and extremism, including also neo-Nazism. The EU once again assures that the main issues raising concerns with regard to this resolution remain important and that it was ready to continue a constructive discussion of all the issues.
The Russian Federation has submitted the draft resolution on Combating glorification of Nazism and other practices that contribute to fuelling contemporary forms of racism to the Third Committee of the General Assembly every year since 2006.
