Reconsideration on substantive grounds of previously ratified credentials of the Russian delegation (Rule 9 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly
debate on 1 October 2009 (33rd Sitting) (see Doc. 12045, report of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations
and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring
Committee), rapporteur: Mr Gross; and Doc. 12051, opinion of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Immunities
and Institutional Affairs, rapporteur: Mr Greenway). Text adopted by the Assembly on
1 October 2009 (33rd Sitting).
- Thesaurus
1. On 11 September
2009, a motion was tabled, signed by 72 members, requesting the
reconsideration on substantive grounds of previously ratified credentials
of the Russian delegation, under rule 9.1
a of
the Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly, in view of
the persistent failure of Russia to honour its obligations and commitments
imposed upon it by the Assembly
Resolutions 1633 (2008) and
1647 (2009) and its lack of co-operation in the Assembly’s monitoring
procedure within the meaning of Rule 8.2.
b of
the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. In particular, the authors of
the motion pointed out that Russia had not only “failed to fulfil
the key demands of
Resolutions
1633 (2008)
and
1647
(2009) adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly” but had
also “undertaken steps that further depart from their implementation”.
2. The Assembly reiterates that the war between Georgia and Russia
in itself constitutes a serious violation of the Statute of the
Council of Europe, as well as of specific obligations and accession
commitments of both countries (
Resolution 1631 (2008)). In
Resolutions
1633 (2008) and
1647
(2009), the Assembly therefore formulated a series of
concrete demands on both Georgia and Russia, which together form
an impartial and transparent roadmap for both countries, as well
as for the Assembly itself, to address the consequences of the war.
3. The implementation by both countries of the above-mentioned
demands of the Assembly has been a main point of focus in the work
of the Assembly over the past year. Regrettably, the Assembly has
concluded that, one year after the war, most of its key demands
have not been implemented by Russia.
4. However, the Assembly also considers that, in such a complex
situation as that of the consequences of the war, especially in
the light of the ongoing controversy about the precise circumstances
surrounding the outbreak of the war, the fulfilment of its demands
may not be easily achieved within the strict deadlines fixed. In
this respect, the Assembly notes the publication of the report by
the international fact-finding mission on the origins and course
of the conflict between Georgia and Russia established by the European
Union due on Wednesday 30 September 2009. It recalls that it has
resolved to return to that specific issue after the fact-finding
mission has presented its report.
5. While regretting that members of the Russian delegation have
publicly spoken against compliance by Russia with the Assembly demands,
it acknowledges that its demands were directed to the Russian authorities whose
policies are not in the hands of the members of the Russian delegation
to our Assembly. Moreover, the Assembly remains convinced that the
establishment of a genuine dialogue between Russia and Georgia and between
the Assembly and the parliamentary delegations of these two states
is the only way forward for the resolution of the conflict and for
securing the long-term stability of the region.
6. Therefore, the Assembly, notwithstanding the lack of compliance
by Russia with most of its demands, decides to confirm the ratification
of the credentials of the Russian delegation, on the understanding
that this will enable the Russian authorities to engage in a meaningful
and constructive dialogue with a view to addressing all the issues
mentioned in the Assembly resolutions on the consequences of the
war between Georgia and Russia.
7. The Assembly considers that a culture of mutual respect should
be created, whereby partners can disagree with each other but accept
the obligation to engage in a dialogue to explain the disagreements
and declare readiness to look for mutually acceptable compromises.
Such explanations would contribute to a better mutual understanding
and, in so doing, would be the best contribution to possibly overcoming
the disagreement one day.
8. The Assembly reiterates its resolve to step up its monitoring
procedure with respect to Russia, including in relation to the demands
made in its respective resolutions dealing with the consequences
of the war between Russia and Georgia, and, in that context, to
draw up a specific roadmap for compliance, including timelines.
