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 On Wednesday 7 May, the European Parliament debated the situation in Georgia, amid escalating tension and the build-up of Russian troops in the region. Many MEPs expressed concerns that Russia's support for secessionist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia was threatening the security of the region.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said that Russia's actions "violate existing agreements and the territorial integrity of Georgia, undermining international peace efforts," and called for their immediate reversal. Russia claims that its troops have been deployed to the region in order to prevent Georgia from attacking Abkhazia, but Georgia denies it has any such intention. Speaking on behalf of the Council presidency, Slovenian State Secretary for European Affairs Janez Lenarcic stated: "We are particularly worried about the increased number of Russian forces in Abkhazia, and the introduction of 15 additional checkpoints on the border with Georgia...The EU stresses its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised border according to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1808." External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner expressed solidarity with Georgia and noted that "in the past 4 years, Georgia has made tremendous efforts to move towards democratic society." She reminded MEPs that the Commission has pledged 2 million euros of electoral aid to Georgia for its upcoming parliamentary elections on 21 May. On Friday it was announced that the Slovenian, Swedish, Polish and Lithuanian foreign ministers would shortly making a diplomatic mission to Georgia in an attempt to ease tensions in the region. Sources: |
