On Wednesday, 21 October, Lolita Čigāne, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, and Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, issued a joint statement on Latvia’s unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
MPs from the European Affairs Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima, met with Teimuraz Janjalia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Latvia.
The chairs of both committees strongly condemn the Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed on 18 March 2015 between Russia and South Ossetia, as well as the Partnership Treaty between Russia and Abkhazia signed on 24 November 2014, both of which, in essence, constitute annexation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.
Likewise, Čigāne and Kalniņš hold unacceptable that the border guard of the Russian Federation has relocated the border markers on the administrative boundary between the Tbilisi-controlled territory and the South Ossetia occupied by the Russian Federation and indicate that the aggressive policies of the Russian Federation are designed to undermine Europe’s security.
The chairs of the European Affairs and Foreign Affairs Committees commend the progress achieved by Georgia in implementing the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, and support introduction of a visa-free regime. Furthermore, the Statement supports further integration of Georgia in the European Union, and emphasises the need for Georgia to focus on successful implementation of the European Union Association Agreement in the coming years.
The statement also supports Georgia’s efforts of integration in NATO, and compliments Georgia’s contribution to NATO operations, as well as NATO’s special support programme for Georgia.
Saeima Press Service