RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT on the situation in Georgia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Georgia,

- having regard to the statement by the UN Security Council of 28 May 1998,

- having regard to the statement by the Presidency of the European Union of 2 June 1998,

A. noting with deep concern that severe fighting has broken out in the Gali region of Abkhazia,

Georgia, which has resulted in substantial loss of life, particularly among the civilian population, and has forced large numbers of Georgian refugees from their homes,

B. whereas the deteriorating security situation in the Gali region seriously threatens UN-led efforts

to achieve an overall resolution of the conflict and also poses a danger to the security of the Caucasus region,

C. expressing its concern about the recent slowing of the peace process, which should be aimed at finding a peaceful and negotiated solution for the conflict in the region with full respect for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,

D. expressing in this context its concern about the security of international aid workers, personnel of the United Nations Mission in Georgia and of the collective peacekeeping forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States,

E. noting that during this year several attempts have been made to destabilise the process of

democratic and political development in Georgia, the most serious of these being the assassination attempt against President Shevardnadze,

F. expressing its full support for an undisturbed process of political and economic development in

Georgia as expressed through the partnership and cooperation agreement between the European Union and Georgia,

G. whereas Georgia has achieved substantial progress in consolidating democracy, the rule of law

and respect for fundamental rights,

1. Strongly condemns the recent violent actions against the Georgian population in the Gali region

of Abkhazia, Georgia;

2. Calls for strict adherence to the Moscow Agreement of 14 May 1994 on a ceasefire and

separation of forces and the ceasefire protocol signed on 25 May 1998, as well as the obligation to refrain from the use of force and to resolve disputed issues by peaceful means only;

3. Calls upon all parties to display the necessary political will to achieve substantial results on the key issues of the negotiations within the framework of the UN-led peace process and through direct dialogue, with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia;

4. Calls on all parties to fulfil their obligations in respect of the return of refugees and displaced persons

5. to their homes in secure conditions;

6. Calls on the Russian Federation to contribute to the implementation of the UN-led peace process;

7. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give the necessary aid to support the refugees in this region;

8. Stresses the importance of the Council of Europe’s Confidence-Building Measures Programme as an important instrument for the reconciliation process between the Georgian and the Abkhazian communities and calls on the Commission and the Council to support this initiative;

9. Calls on the Member States of the European Union to finance, as an instrument for re-establishing inter-ethnic dialogue, the bilingual “Ertoba Radio Company” which was opened by the Council of Europe for voluntary contribution from its member states;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Government and Parliament of Georgia and the Russian Federation.

17 July 1998

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