Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-01-18-Speech-4-137"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2001-01-18"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Visa requirements between Russia and Georgia2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20010118.7.4-137"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2001-01-18-Speech-4-1382
lpv:speaker	lp:Bas Belder2
lpv:spokenAs	member; EDD (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij - Gereformeerd Politiek Verbond - Reformatorisch Politieke Federatie (1999-07-20--2002-03-17)3 member; Temporary committee on the Echelon interception system (2000-07-06--2001-09-05)3 member; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (2000-10-05--2002-01-14)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 vice-chair; Delegation for relations with the United States (1999-07-22--2002-01-14)3 substitute; Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, we can certainly support the thrust of the present resolution. After all, it is a clear departure from the Russian Federation’s unilateral decision to impose a visa obligation on Georgia. The wording of Paragraph 2 – request for suspension of Moscow’s visa regime vis-à-vis Tbilisi – merits further development in our opinion. Naturally, we expect both parties to display the will to enter into joint consultation. Much more serious, in our opinion, is an omission in recital D. It has a direct bearing on the very essence of Georgia’s political stability. Recital D is right to require safety guarantees to be put in place for the group of approximately 35 000 Georgian refugees, some of whom have now returned to the southern region of Gali or commute there on a daily basis for their work. The separatist Abkhazian regime is today in power in that region but – bear in mind – this is in the presence of Russian troops, so-called peacekeepers, who assume a purely passive role. However, what is missing in recital D, is a reference to the large group of Georgian refugees from Abkhazia who have been on Georgian territory until now. These are an estimated 175,000 to 190,000 refugees and displaced persons, and they are living in truly abject conditions. It is precisely this specific humanitarian problem which poses a direct threat to the authority of President Shevarnadze. These days, the refugees from Abkhazia are putting the thumbscrews on Georgian authorities to secure their return home. In short, they are a continuous source of unrest in Georgia. A situation which Russia is apparently keen to maintain by not forcing Abkhazia to accept a solution for these refugees. Indeed, various schemes have been outlined under international supervision which the Abkhazians have so far put on hold. Given these and other highly volatile political situations in the Caucasus, we welcome the suggestion in Paragraph 8 – the appointment of a special European envoy to this strategically and economically important region – with open arms. A watchful European eye may have a preventive effect on this hotbed, and what is more, our presence will hopefully promote internal compliance with formally signed fundamental rights."@en1

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