Former embassies of the Baltic states on the territory of some Council of Europe member states

Recommendation 1392 (1998)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

See Doc. 8176, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur : Mr Magnusson. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 4 November 1998.

Thesaurus

1. As a result of the second world war, four former embassies of the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) in Paris and in Rome were turned over to the diplomatic representatives of the Soviet Union.

2. These premises are presently used by various diplomatic or consular services of the Russian Federation.

3. Legally speaking, these former embassies are still the property of the three Baltic states, which cannot obtain the return of the embassies through legal means because of the diplomatic immunity accorded to those who occupy the buildings.

4. The Assembly is, however, of the opinion that these embassies should be returned to their rightful owners.

5. It recalls its Opinion No. 193 (1996) on Russia’s request for membership of the Council of Europe, in which it is stated that one of the Russian Federation’s commitments, among others, is "to settle rapidly all issues related to the return of property claimed by Council of Europe member states".

6. It urges all parties concerned to conduct effective negotiations to arrange for the return of the embassies.

7. It recommends that the Committee of Ministers play an active role in promoting these negotiations and offer its good offices in this respect.