Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move:

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence:Congratulates the people of Georgia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the declaration of independence;

Welcomes the growth of political relations and cooperation in a variety of fields between Ireland and Georgia, including intensifying the inter-parliamentary cooperation;

Encourages further development of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation between Ireland and Georgia for the mutual benefit;

Reaffirms Ireland’s unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders;

Expresses concerns at the decision recently taken by the Syrian regime to recognise the so-called independence of the indivisible regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia;

Commends the people and Government of Georgia for their successful reforms in recent years towards consolidating democracy, ensuring human rights protection, rule of law, media freedom and good governance as well as strengthening government transparency and judicial independence;

Welcomes Georgia's substantial progress on its EU integration path, including successful implementation of the Association Agreement, and reaffirms its strong support to this process. Notes that abolishment of the visa requirements for the Georgian citizens stands out as an important milestone achieved on the EU-Georgia cooperation agenda;

Expresses concern that after 10 years of the Russia-Georgia war and occupation of Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation the security and human rights situation on the ground has been further aggravated;

Supports the Geneva International Discussions as an important format to address the security and humanitarian challenges stemming from the Russia-Georgia conflict and underlines the need for tangible results on core issues of the negotiations, including the non-use of force, establishment of the international security mechanisms in Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees, with the aim to achieve lasting peace and security on the ground;

Underlines the necessity of implementation of the EU mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement by Russia;

Recommends, that Ireland and Georgia should continue close cooperation with the aim to further deepen Georgian-Irish partnership both in bilateral and multilateral formats and work together towards an open Europe of unity and solidarity, to contribute to the global peace and security.