17 November 2006, Québec, Canada – Resolution on Relations between Georgia and the Russian Federation

The Assembly,

1.  Reaffirming its commitment to the promotion of good neighbourly relations in the South Caucasus region;

2. Welcoming NATO's decision to start an "Intensified Dialogue" with Georgia on its aspirations for membership;

3. Welcoming also the signing by Georgia and the European Union of a European Neighbourhood Action Plan on 14 November 2006;

4.  Recalling that the process of Euro-Atlantic integration and enlargement is not directed against any particular country, but goes hand in hand with the promotion of good neighbourly relations among partner countries;

5.  Regretting the escalation of tensions between Georgia and the Russian Federation following the arrest by Georgian authorities of four Russian officers and their release at the end of September 2006;

6.  Concerned, in particular, by the interruption of all land, air and sea links between the two countries, as well as the continued ban on the import of agricultural products from Georgia to the Russian Federation;

7.  Reaffirming the right of every nation to counter illegal immigration but condemning any discriminatory measures taken against civilians based solely on their ethnicity or citizenship;

8.   Welcoming the declarations of good intention made by the Foreign Ministers of Georgia and the Russian Federation following their meeting on 1 November 2006;

9. Reaffirming its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and for the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

10. Convinced that the non-resolution of these conflicts represents a serious impediment to peace and stability and to the establishment of good neighbourly relations in the region;

11.  Acknowledging the new proposals and initiatives presented by the President of Georgia at the UN General Assembly; and

12.  Insisting that, given its role in the current negotiation formats, and its obligations under the UN Charter and the OSCE, the Russian Federation has a special responsibility to promote a peaceful resolution of these conflicts and should play a more constructive role;

13. URGES the governments and parliaments of Georgia and the Russian Federation:

a. to refrain from any steps which would damage further relations between the two countries;

b. to start without further delay discussions on the re-establishment of normal communications and economic relations between the two countries; 

c. to comply fully with their respective commitments regarding the peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and with UN Security Council Resolution 1716 dated 13 October 2006;

14.  URGES the governments and parliaments of member and partner countries of the North Atlantic Alliance: 

a. to use every opportunity to facilitate and encourage dialogue between Georgia and the Russian Federation, with a view to re-establishing confidence and de-escalating tensions;

b. to support ongoing negotiations for a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to the extent of their competence, and encourage reflections on ways to enhance current negotiation formats;

c. to support fully Georgia's aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration and its wish to move, in due course, to the next level of co-operation with NATO, namely the Membership Action Plan.