The European Parliament adopted the most “pro-Georgian” resolution

The European Parliament adopted a special resolution on Georgia yesterday. It follows from it that the European Union intends to speed up the political and economic integration of Georgia into its ranks. The document also talks about Russia, and in unusually harsh language. MEPs demand that the Russian Federation “stop the occupation of Georgian territories” and hint at Moscow’s involvement in terrorist attacks on Georgian territory. Moscow considers the adopted document a “sweet pill” for Tbilisi for its concessions on the issue of Russia’s accession to the WTO.

Much attention was paid in advance to the European Parliament resolution on Georgia. The document was supposed to show Europe's vision of the future of its relations with Tbilisi. On the eve of the debate in the European Parliament, President Mikheil Saakashvili especially noted that “this is a very significant document for Georgia.”

The results of voting in the European Parliament could not but please the Georgian leader. The resolution adopted yesterday, prepared by Polish MP Krzysztof Lisek from the European People's Party, turned out to be the most “pro-Georgian” in recent years. MEPs call on the executive bodies of the EU to speed up the political and economic integration of Georgia into the European Union, including granting it membership, provided that Tbilisi continues its course towards democratic reforms. Deputies insist on accelerating the process of concluding an association agreement between Georgia and the EU and on the speedy launch of negotiations on the creation of a free trade zone. Although the document expresses some criticism of Tbilisi, Georgia is called “one of the most successful member countries of the Eastern Partnership in terms of carrying out reforms.”

At the same time, the document expresses harsh criticism of Russia. It calls three times for Moscow to “stop the occupation of Georgian territories.” The deputies demand that international observers be allowed into Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and also express concern about the “ethnic cleansing of the Georgian population” in these republics that separated from Georgia. Moreover, European parliamentarians express concern about the “terrorist attacks that have occurred in Georgia over the past year” and call on “Georgia and Russia to jointly investigate them,” in fact accepting the Georgian version of Moscow’s involvement in organizing the terrorist attacks.

Georgian Ambassador to the EU Salome Samadashvili yesterday did not hide her satisfaction: “The European Parliament adopted an unprecedented document that clearly recognizes the fact of the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” Deputies from the ruling United National Movement party in Georgia were also pleased with the work of their European colleagues. “The adoption of such a tough resolution is especially important at a time when Russia is trying to expand the list of countries recognizing the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” said Akaki Minashvili, head of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs.

The resolution did not evoke such enthusiasm among representatives of the Georgian opposition. “Many such resolutions have been adopted regarding Israel and Palestine, as well as Turkey and Cyprus, but they have not given anything and will not give anything,” Paata Zakareishvili, one of the leaders of the Republican Party, told Kommersant.

Nevertheless, Georgian experts are convinced that the document will damage Russia’s image. “The EU resolution, with which Moscow is building a strategic partnership, is a serious blow to Russia’s prestige,” former Georgian Ambassador to the EU (1994-1998) and ex-Ambassador to the Russian Federation (1998-2004) Zurab Abashidze told Kommersant. Outwardly, the Russians may not show it, but in reality they will perceive the document very painfully.”

Moscow really did not dramatize the situation. Deputy head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Andrei Klimov told Kommersant that, in his opinion, “the less the Russian Federation attaches importance to this kind of shock, the better.” “From the point of view of common sense, Europeans understand everything, but there is a certain political order, and this document is its manifestation. It still has no legal force,” Mr. Klimov explained to Kommersant. “I do not rule out that this is a “sweet pill” from Brussels for Tbilisi's agreement to make concessions on the issue of Russia's accession to the WTO."

Georgy Dvali, Tbilisi; Elena Chernenko

Georgia is being pulled towards Europe