NATO PA urges member states to offer MAP to Georgia

PanARMENIAN.Net - On 18 November 2008, during a plenary session in Valencia, Spain, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly adopted Declaration 373 on the conflict between Georgia and Russia.



The declaration says that "the Russian military had, for many months, been increasing the number of troops, specialized forces, and military equipment in South Ossetia and Abkhazia well beyond levels appropriate for peacekeeping forces, thereby contributing to an escalation of tensions in both regions."



Recognizing that the "increased attacks in August 2008 on Georgian villages by forces inside South Ossetia constituted a serious provocation," the declaration expresses disappointment that "Georgian authorities responded with armed force, which contributed to an escalation of violence."



"South Ossetia and Abkhazia are sovereign territory of Georgia and that the Russian Federation voted for numerous United Nations resolutions - including UNSCR 1808 on 15 April 2008 - which reaffirm the territorial integrity of Georgia," the declaration reads.



The NATO PA urged member governments and parliaments of the North Atlantic Alliance: to contribute to an independent international inquiry to determine the chain of events that led to this conflict; to promote the Geneva talks to find an enduring solution to the conflicts over South Ossetia and Abkhazia without taking steps that could lead, contrary to international law, to the de facto or de jure recognition of the independence of either; to seek the introduction of a broad-based international peacekeeping force in South Ossetia and Abkhazia; to assist the efforts of the Georgian government to complete political and economic reforms with a focus on key democratic and institutional goals that will allow Georgia to join Euro-Atlantic structures as soon as is appropriate; to offer a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia; to support efforts to increase the supply of energy resources transiting through Georgia, which will reduce the dependence of Europe on Russian supplies of gas and oil; to aid Georgia in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed in the conflict; to maintain a constructive dialogue with the Russian Federation to promote long-term stability in the South Caucasus region; to exert pressure on the Russian Federation to bring about full compliance with the terms of the ceasefire agreement, the NATO press center reports.