The Presidium of the Baltic Assembly in its Statement on the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration between the Russian Federation and Georgia’s breakaway region of Tskhinvali/South Ossetia emphasises that the Baltic Assembly does not recognise the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration signed between the Russian Federation and the Tskhinvali/South Ossetia region of Georgia on 18 March 2015. Signing of the so-called Treaty on Alliance and Integration contradicts ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region and will only complicate regional peace-building efforts.

The Statement notes that the Baltic Assembly has repeatedly emphasised that this so-called Treaty and previous agreements signed between the Russian Federation and the two Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia clearly violate principles of international law and international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation.

Furthermore, the Statement reads: “The Baltic Assembly does not recognise the legitimacy of the so-called Treaty and remains firm in its full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders”.

With this Statement the Baltic Assembly calls on the Russian Federation to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, along with its subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008, including constructive participation in the Geneva International Discussions and free access of the EUMM to the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. The Presidium also reiterates the call for unhindered access for humanitarian organisations to these regions.

About the Baltic Assembly:The Baltic Assembly is an organisation for interparliamentary cooperation created by Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to coordinate the parliamentary cooperation among the Baltic States, address topics and projects of common interest, and formulate joint opinions on political, economic, social and culture issues. The Baltic Assembly is composed of national delegations, and each national parliament of the Baltic States is represented in the Baltic Assembly by 12 to 20 members of parliament.

Saeima Press Service