Press Statement by the Speakers of the National Parliaments of the Nordic and Baltic States
Jurmala , Latvia , 28 August 2008
The Nordic and Baltic Parliament Speakers held their annual Conference on 26-28 August 2008.
Supporting Georgia ’s territorial integrity within its borders recognized by the international community, the Speakers condemn the decision by the Russian Federation to extend recognition to the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia .
Russia ’s decision violates the many UN Security Council resolutions it has endorsed regarding Georgia ’s territorial integrity, and is inconsistent with the fundamental OSCE principles. The Speakers of the National Parliaments of the Nordic and Baltic States call on Russia to reverse its decision.
Russia should fully abide to the six-principle agreement immediately and must allow free access of humanitarian aid and reconstruction of infrastructure.
The Nordic and Baltic Speakers visited Tbilisi on 24-25 September 2007. At the meeting in Jurmala the Speakers underlined the importance of continued parliamentary cooperation with Georgia which will help Georgia to proceed with its reform process and to come closer to the community of shared democratic values.