Address by Mrs Nino Burdjanadze, President of the Parliament of Georgia

Your Excellency, Mister President,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the privilege to address you from this high rostrum which is considered as a pillar of democracy not only in Europe, but throughout the world. It is my first and very special opportunity to share some of my views with you.

Integration in the European structures has long been a major objective of our foreign policy as Georgia sees itself as part of the European space and shares its common values.

Just recently, our democracy has undergone major test for its most valuable achievements. The people of Georgia once again demonstrated its readiness to protect fundamental human rights and first of all freedom of expression, Georgian authorities had to follow this will and made radical changes inside the Government. My country has come out of this political crises with dignity and firmer determination to be a worthy member of the European family.

I would like to express my deepest satisfaction at seeing the three South Caucasian States as members of the Council of Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe led the foundation to a very useful tradition. Under its auspices a number of forums were organized for South Caucasus countries directed at developing democracy, promoting values of the Organization and strengthening regional cooperation. South Caucasus is a gateway and an important link between East and West, and peace and stability in the region is a matter of paramount importance for the entire Continent.

We acknowledge the importance of the obligations Georgia has undertaken while acceding to the Council of Europe. Recommendations drawn by the Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the Secretariat's Information and Assistance Mission are of extreme importance for us as they cover a wide range of questions, which are currently on our political agenda. We have already ratified up to thirty legal instruments of the Council of Europe. In December last year the Parliament has ratified the First Additional Protocol to the European Convention of Human Rights. In the Parliament we created a special structure aimed to harmonizing Georgian legislation to the European standards.

In recent years corruption has posed the biggest threat to the democratic development of Georgia. Despite the efforts to combat it, thus far we have failed to achieve tangible results. The role of the Parliament as a legislative guard against corruption is particularly important. However, parliamentarians may adopt anti-corruption laws but they will be useless unless there is a political will for their implementation.

Building of Civil Society in Georgia is still encountering a number of other difficulties. We all have been particularly worried about the incidents of violence in the country against non-traditional religious groups. These events were hardly imaginable as Georgia has never had such problems in the past, tolerance always being the most characteristic trait of Georgian people. So the Parliament of Georgia responded by to these events by adopting a resolution strongly condemning religious extremism. Let me stress again that the Georgian Parliament, as well as the people of Georgian, rejects any violence against the human rights, freedom of confession and minority rights, which are firmly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia.

Georgia has assumed an obligation to adopt legislation for the repatriation of the Meskhetians, deported in 1944. A relevant law has already been drafted with the comments of experts from the Council of Europe. But I would like to stress here one important point: at least two generations of Meskhetians were born and brought up outside of their historical homeland. We must give them a choice whether to return to Georgia or integrate better in the countries of their current residence. We have to underline that these people should not be forcibly "deported" once again. It would be extremely helpful if Council of Europe could help us in negotiations with the countries of Meskhetians present inhabitance. Simultaneously we have to bear in mind that having more than 300 000 IDPs, a rather difficult economic and social reality, Georgia can hardly cope with a new massive influx of repatriates without substantial political and economic support from the international community.
As a vice-president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and former Rapporteur of Human Rights Committee and as a person, I strongly believe that development of the civil society and proper self-governance, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, rights of ethnic, religious and cultural minorities - are the best prerequisites to prevent internal conflicts.

In this context, I have to mention Georgia's most painful problem - the conflicts in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. We all are disappointed that a solution is no nearer today than it was eight years ago, when the bloodshed had stopped. Any frozen conflict is a serious threat; it's like living on the edge of a volcano, which may erupt any time.

I think that we all should understand that it is impossible to speak about common European architecture and creation of a New Europe without dividing lines, until there still exist regions torn by conflicts, where demography has been intentionally changed by ethnic cleansing and hundreds of thousands of people are deprived of their basic right - to return to their homes. These are lawless territories that provide fertile ground breeding all types of extremism and terrorism.

Unfortunately, neither the United Nations, nor other international institutions have been capable enough to influence the process of the conflict settlement. Peacekeeping operation is still led only by Russian Military and is rather far from real peacekeeping. Added by asymmetric non-visa regime with Abkhazia, still an organic part of Georgia, unlawful maintaining of a Russian military base there, Abkhazian problem remains an apple of discord between Russia and Georgia. Aggressive separatism, terrorism should be fought everywhere, not only on the territory of Russia itself.

Due to the aforementioned problems the tension between Russia and Georgia went to mount last fall. We keep hope that the recent meeting of the two Presidents and a dialogue between parliamentarians would establish civilized and good-neighborly relations between the two countries.

I would like to assure you that Georgia will never reconcile to the loss of Abkhazia. Therefore, we stand ready to render Abkhazia the broadest autonomous status within the Georgian state, where each Abhkaz will enjoy equal rights with Georgians. We call upon the European institutions, especially the Council of Europe to put all these issues high on its agenda.

The tragedy of the 11th of September has changed the political realities in many countries and inter-state organizations. Moreover, it has changed the mentality of people all over the world. Anti-terrorist activity must be permanent, decisive and enjoy high-priority from all of us, including the South Caucasus region, where we have suffered a lot from the terrorism. Today, as never before, we, Europeans, must demonstrate unity and an iron will against this threat facing the whole of mankind. We have to secure not only our Continent but also the achievements of human development worldwide.

Mr. President. I would like to congratulate you for your election and wish you success in your very hard work. I am sure that cooperation between Georgia and the Parliamentary Assembly would become more intensive and fruitful under your Presidency.

Georgia will always be grateful to all our friends in the Council of Europe and I would like to pay special tribute to Lord Russell Johnston and thank him wholeheartedly for all his efforts and support.

In a week we will mark three years since the Assembly unanimously voted in favor of our accession to the Council of Europe. On that very Day my predecessor, Chair of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Zurab Zhvania, concluded his speech by saying "I am Georgian, and therefore I am European". These are very proud words indeed, and represent the manifestation of our hope that Georgia will be able to establish a truly European model of democracy and civil society. On behalf of the Georgian parliament and myself let me assure you that honoring of obligations is not only our responsibility but also a strong will of the people of Georgia. We are determined to cooperate with the Council of Europe in order to realize the ideal of a new Europe.

Thank you.