CoE summit draft resolution adds call for Russia to withdraw troops from Georgia

Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker, on Tuesday said an amendment had been made to the draft resolution of the Council of Europe’s upcoming summit in Reykjavik, calling for Russia to withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory.

Proposed by the Georgian delegation at the CoE, the addition says “Russia's aggression and occupation of Georgian territories violate the principles of international law” and call on the country to withdraw its forces from Georgia’s internationally recognised territory.

Talakvadze said it was “important that the Political Committee [of the CoE] supported this amendment initiated by us”, and added Georgia was mentioned “in many places” throughout the text of the draft resolution.

“[T]he fact that Georgia is mentioned in many places is very important, because this summit itself is dedicated and directed to the consolidation of Europe, to the unification of Europe in relation to the challenges that exist on the continent today”, the Parliament official said.

Therefore, raising the issue of Georgia is of course very important for our country. Together with our partners, we did everything to ensure that topics related to Georgia were reflected as much as possible in the text of the resolution. This draft will be submitted for approval at the plenary session [of the CoE]”, Talakvadze concluded.

The Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe will take place between May 16-17 in the Icelandic capital.