MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
28.5.2008
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by André Brie
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Georgia
B6‑0294/2008
European Parliament resolution on Georgia
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,
– having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2007 on the European Neighbourhood Policy,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, which entered into force on 1 July 1999,
– having regard to the ENP Action Plan endorsed by the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council on 14 November 2006,
– having regard to the UN Security Council resolution of 15 April 2008 supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia and extending the mandate of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) to October 15 2008,
– having regard to the recommendations adopted by the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee on 29 and 30 April 2008,
– having regard to the Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission to the Georgian parliamentary elections of 22 May 2008,
– having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. concerned at the continued failure to resolve the internal conflicts in Georgia, the South Ossetia region and Abkhazia; whereas new and dangerous tensions have arisen and the situation is deteriorating, and this endangers peace in the whole region,
B. whereas, thanks to its geographical location and oil resources, the Caucasus region is of increased importance for efforts to enhance international security; whereas all international players involved, in particular Russia and the US, have a particular responsibility for the stability of the region,
C. whereas all parties to and mediators in the conflicts in the South Ossetia region and Abkhazia must intensify their efforts to find a political solution to the conflicts on the basis of full respect for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,
D. whereas, despite the efforts made to conduct Georgia’s elections in line with international standards, the International Election Observation Mission to the Georgian parliamentary elections of 21 May 2008 identified serious problems, including intimidation of voters, which made implementation uneven and incomplete; whereas large-scale demonstrations are occurring, and the internal political situation since the elections remains unstable;
1. Expresses its deep concern at the escalation of the situation in Abkhazia, and recalls that only a political solution acceptable to the majority of the population in a region affected by conflict can ensure lasting peace and stability;
2. Reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and of all other countries in the region;
3. Urges all parties involved to refrain from any actions that could lead to the escalation of the situation and increase the tensions,
4. Deplores the decision of the Moscow authorities to establish official links with the de facto authorities of the breakaway Georgian republics, as well as the unilateral decision to increase the numbers of Russian peace-keeping troops in Abkhazia, aggravating the already tense situation;
5. Deplores the fact that no official high-level meetings have taken place between Georgian and Abkhaz representatives under UN auspices since October 2007;
6. Notes the recent proposals put forward by the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, regarding resolution of the conflict in Abkhazia, which include broad political representation at the highest levels of the Georgian government, granting veto rights on all major legislation related to Abkhazia, and establishing international guarantees to ensure broad federalism, unlimited autonomy and security,
7. Calls for renewed international efforts to bring the parties back to dialogue and restart the peace process with a view to reaching a lasting and comprehensive settlement; takes the view that the UN together with the OSCE should continue to lead in this process;
8. Calls on the Council and Commission to support the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the UN in their efforts to resolve these regional conflicts; urges the special envoy for the southern Caucasus to cooperate closely with both organisations in order to contribute to facilitating the dialogue between the parties, defusing tension and restoring mutual confidence;
9. Deeply deplores the further deterioration of relations between Russia and Georgia; takes the view that actions such as the suspension by Georgia of bilateral talks with Moscow on Russia’s accession to the WTO and the continued ban by Russia on import of Georgian wine and agriculture goods are counterproductive; calls on both partners to immediately start dialogue and negotiations on all disputed matters;
10. Welcomes the decision of the 2-4 April NATO summit in Bucharest not to offer membership to Georgia; opposes the enlargement of NATO and the organisation as such, and stresses that the security of Georgia and all other countries of the region can only be guaranteed by political means and by economic and social development;
11. Deplores the failure of the parliamentary elections of 21 May 2008 to sufficiently meet international standards;
12. Expresses its preoccupation over the allegations by the Georgian opposition that the election, in which Mr Saakashvili's United National Movement won 120 of the parliament's 150 seats, was rigged; notes that the leading opposition bloc, the United Opposition Council, has announced that it will not take up the 16 seats it won;
13. Calls on the majority and opposition forces to engage in a substantial, constructive and responsible dialogue in order to deal thoroughly with the many challenges Georgia is now facing;
14. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Member States, the President and Parliament of Georgia, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the President and Parliament of the Russian Federation.