MEPs urge Russia to abide by international law
VALENTINA POP
03.09.2008 @ 13:58 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Parliament condemned Russia's actions against Georgia on Wednesday (3 September), reminding Moscow it needs to abide by international law and respect the sovereignty and national integrity of its neighbouring country.
The resolution, adopted with 549 votes in favor and 68 against, firmly condemns the "unacceptable and disproportionate military action by Russia," underlining that "there is no legitimate reason for Russia to invade Georgia, occupy parts of it and threaten to override the government of a democratic country."
Schulz - the socialist group wanted to see criticism of Georgia as well (Photo: European Parliament)
Since Russia's deep incursion in Georgia and recognition of the two breakaway provinces is "contrary to international law," the MEPs urge the EU and NATO to use "all available means to persuade the Russian government to abide by international law, which is the necessary condition for playing a responsible role in the international community."
The European Parliament "reminds Russia of its responsibility as a UN veto power for a global order of peace" and calls on EU memmber states and the European Commission to "review their policy towards Russia," should Moscow not withdraw its troops to their positions prior to 7 August.
The commission should also propose a visa facilitation and readmission agreement "at least equivalent to those for Russia," say the MEPs, calling on EU member states "to review the issuing of visas for economic activities based in South Ossetia and Abkhazia."
Socialist criticism of Georgia
In an oral intervention during the vote, Socialist leader Martin Schulz deplored the fact that his group was not able to introduce a "central element" of their own resolution which also blames Georgia for starting the conflict and criticizes Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili's "aggressive stance."
Booed in plenum by a large number of the MEPs, Schulz replied that "those who are yelling now show that they want to sharpen the conflicts, not to reduce them." The PES voted in favor of the final resolution, because it supports the EU speaking on one voice in the matter, Schulz explained.
A softer criticism towards Georgia can be found in the resolution's paragraph concerning cluster bombs, where MEPs call on both Moscow and Tbilisi to "provide full information concerning the areas where their armies dropped cluster bombs so that an immediate start can be made on de-mining operations and in order to prevent further casualties among innocent civilians."
Both Georgia and Russia are also being urged to lend support and fully cooperate with the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court regarding its investigation into the attacks on civilians which took place during the conflict.
An "independent international investigation" also needs to be carried out urgently in order to "establish the facts and bring greater clarity to certain allegation," the parliament demands.
Georgia vital for energy security
Georgia's importance as an alternative energy route for the EU's attempt to reduce its dependency on Russia is also highlighted in the resolution, which calls on the commission to offer Tbilisi "all necessary assistance" to in order to effectively protect its energy infrastructure.
The document mentions the existing Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and calls for "strong EU commitment in pursuing the [future] Nabucco pipeline project, recognized as an EU priority project that would cross Georgia's territory."
In this regard, the MEPs highlight that the Lisbon Treaty would provide for a special EU energy security policy, along with the creation of an energy High Representative and a solidarity clause among member states.
Financial sanctions for Russia
The parliament's budgetary affairs committee on Tuesday also called for freezing the aid sent to Russia, as a punitive measure against its actions in Georgia.
"A freeze on these sums would be a legitimate political measure," to put pressure on Russia to pull out of Georgia, said German conservative MEP Reimer Boege, who heads the committee, as quoted by AFP.
"The idea is circulating among the eurodeputies involved in budgetary affairs to freeze some €60.5 million euros ($87.9 million) destined for Russia under the neighbourhood policy and to attach conditions to deblocking [the money]," Polish MEP Janusz Lewandowski, vice-president of the parliament's budget committee, added.
The proposal to freeze the funding to Russia will go to a vote at the parliament's budget committee next month as part of the EU's overall 2009 budget plans, which must then be approved by both the parliament and member states.