The Riigikogu expresses deep concern over the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation of 16 April 2008 concerning a regulation signed by the President of the Russian Federation to the effect that the Russian Federation is going to tighten relationships with the de facto authorities of the Abkhazian and South Ossetian regions of Georgia without the consent of the government of Georgia.

The Riigikogu calls attention to the fact that such behaviour by the Russian Federation threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognised borders. The Riigikogu condemns such unilateral activities and calls the Russian Federation to stop the implementation of the Regulation. Also, the Riigikogu emphasises that, as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Group of Friends for Georgia the Russian Federation has taken co-responsibility for the promotion of the peace process in Georgia and Abkhazia.

The Riigikogu emphasises that the failure of the Russian Federation to meet its commitments and its attempts to threaten the territorial integrity of Georgia may undermine the possibility of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Russian Federation.

The Riigikogu welcomes Georgia’s peaceful steps for the settlement of conflicts and expresses its support to the peace plan published on 28 March 2008.

The Riigikogu welcomes the European Union statement of 18 April 2008 which reiterates its firm commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and calls to prevent further escalation the situation. The Riigikogu expresses its support to the statement of the members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of 17 April 2008 which urges the Russian Federation to meet its commitments in the peaceful settlement of disagreements.

The Riigikogu recalls the NATO Bucharest Summit Declaration of 3 April 2008 in which the Heads of State and Government of the member countries asserted their willingness to invite Georgia to join NATO in the future and supported Georgia’s application for the Membership Action Plan. Emphasising the principle set out in the Bucharest Summit Declaration that third countries have no say in the decisions concerning the enlargement, the Riigikogu calls upon the Member States of NATO to issue the Membership Action Plan to Georgia in December 2008.

President of the Riigikogu                                                                               Ene Ergma

Tallinn              23 April 2008