European Parliament resolution of 22 October 2008 on the European Council of 15 and 16 October 2008

The European Parliament ,

–   having regard to the Presidency Conclusions following the European Council of 15 and 16 October 2008,

–   having regard to the European Council report and the Commission statement on the European Council of 15 and 16 October 2008,

(…)

Follow-up to the European Council of 1 September 2008

37.  Takes the view that there cannot be a military solution to the conflicts in the Caucasus, and expresses its firm condemnation of all those who resorted to force and violence in order to change the situation in the Georgian breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;

38.  Recalls the disproportionate military action by Russia in Georgia in early August 2008 and its deep incursion into the country, as well as its unilateral decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

39.  Calls on Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and the inviolability of its borders as recognised by all EU Member States;

40.  Underlines that the EU must review its policy towards Russia should Russia not comply with its commitments under the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008;

41.  Welcomes the Council's position regarding the situation in Georgia; recalls the commitments made in the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008; stresses that the withdrawal of Russian troops from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia is an essential additional step; calls for the safe and quick return of refugees, accompanied by the deployment of EU observers on the ground; deplores the failure of the talks between Russia and Georgia in Geneva on 15 October 2008;

42.  Regrets furthermore that the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia is not allowed to enter the two breakaway regions where Russia plans to station 7 600 regular army troops replacing the small contingents of Russian peacekeepers deployed in both territories after the ceasefire agreements of 1992 to 1994;

43.  Looks forward to the conclusions of the International Donors" Conference on Georgia of 22 October 2008; welcomes the Commission's commitment to provide strong political, financial and practical support to Georgia; calls on the Commission to submit and quickly follow through with measures aimed at the rehabilitation and recovery of the conflict areas and to step up humanitarian assistance with a view to resettling and providing shelter before winter to the people affected by the war;

44.  Notes that all remaining issues have to be resolved at the international conference in Geneva, especially as far as the situation in, and future of, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and notably the continuing Russian military presence in Akhalgori and Perevi in South Ossetia and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia are concerned, and that until then relations between the EU and Russia cannot be fully normalised;

(…)

22 October 2008

(http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides)