Honourable Speaker of the Saeima,

Mr Prime Minister,

Honourable Saeima members,

Fellow ministers,

Ladies and gentlemen!

Today we have gathered in an extraordinary session of the Saeima to talk about an issue which is topical both to the community of Latvia and the whole democratic world. For a week now, the international community is following the tragic developments in Georgia every minute. In tandem with these events, this war has caused the loss of many human lives, resulted in substantial material damage, and a humanitarian crisis has been caused. Firstly, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the families of all the victims. It is perfectly self-explanatory that the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia has gathered to express its attitude towards these events.

Over these past days we have been hearing all sorts of information on the development of events; however, today we should not focus on who is to blame or who fired the first shot. Nonetheless, it would be wrong to think that the conflict began only last week. Do its roots stem from previous centuries or from the policy Stalin implemented against ethnic minorities, or from the peace terms which were reached in the beginning of the 90s – that is not the subject of today's debate. It is clear that the year 2008 has marked an escalation of the situation since April.

The question should be asked, whether the international community adequately evaluated the events which commenced with the decision by the President of Russia to withdraw from the regime of CIS sanctions against Abkhazia and Russia's decision on the deployment of additional military units which followed, the shooting-down of aircraft, and exchange of fire. An escalation of mutual confrontation took place also in the information space. The international community will have to reassess the appropriateness of its reaction, but now, it is pertinent to turn to the recent developments in Georgia.     

This conflict erupted into outright warfare on the night of 7 to 8 August. The argument which we have heard from the side of the Russian Federation is that the reason for its military actions was the wish to ensure the rights of its citizens, on the basis of the constitution of the Russian Federation. To my mind this argumentation is in conflict with common practice that regulates relations between states and stems from the standards as recognised in international law.

Using the above-mentioned pretext for launching military action, the Russian Federation has violated the sovereign rights of another state and is endangering the territorial integrity of Georgia. Such actions are deplorable. It seems to me that it is clear to everyone that we are talking about warfare by the Russian Federation within the territory of Georgia, not in the territory of the Russian Federation.

As I mentioned, the situation in Georgia changed very rapidly over these last few days and I will not waste your time retelling the chronology of events. Right now the major importance lies in the ending of all military action. At this moment, the agreement on a ceasefire by the sides involved, which was brokered by France, the current holder of the EU presidency, serves as the foundation for further negotiations. The situation, however, remains very fragile.

In my opinion, there are several preconditions which should be put in action immediately, without reservation: 

1) to end all hostilities, because a long-term resolution of the crisis cannot in any way be achieved by military means,

2) for the sides involved in the conflict to withdraw their units, back to their pre-crisis positions,

3) to ensure all possibilities for the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians.

Next steps – it is necessary to put into operation new international mechanisms for peacekeeping in the region, this includes both negotiations and the presence of international observers, as well as a new peacekeeping format, which was also agreed on by EU foreign ministers at the extraordinary meeting which took place yesterday. Such necessity arises from the fact that the previous mechanisms, which have been operating in the conflict regions for more than 10 years, have not been able to prevent the conflict. 

Both the EU and NATO will have to evaluate what impact this crisis will have on the overall security situation in the region, as well as on the relations of the EU and NATO with the Russian Federation and Georgia. The events of the last week will not allow EU and NATO's relations with Russia to progress in the previous climate, pretending as if nothing has happened. Likewise, we have to think about the future perspective of the relations of these organisations with Georgia.

At the same time we must turn our attention to news which has been received about continuing acts of violence against civilian residents, both in the zones of conflict and outside them. All such information must be investigated without delay, with the assistance of international experts. It is my opinion that Latvia too should be ready to send its experts on this kind of mission.

Taking into account the existing conditions, the provision of humanitarian assistance is of crucial importance. Latvia has sent its first consignment of medicaments and first aid kits, another consignment is in preparation, based on the information supplied by the Georgian side about its priority needs. The government of Latvia today took a decision to assign additional financing to the sum of 100000 lats for the provision of assistance.

As the crisis developed, we also took all the necessary steps relating to the protection of the interests of our citizens, ensuring efficient evacuation procedures. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I wish to thank AirBaltic airline for the support which they provided, both in the evacuation of Latvian nationals and citizens of other states, as well as assistance with the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Latvia's political support has been voiced both in the joint statement by the presidents of the Baltic states and Poland, the joint declaration by the leaders of Baltic state parliaments, and also in the pronouncements of the Prime Minister and myself which have made our position quite clear. The Prime Minister, Ivars Godmanis, has just returned from Tbilisi, which he visited together with the presidents of Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, in this way affirming our solidarity with the people of Georgia, and yesterday a joint declaration was issued. Over these past days we have worked on co-ordinating activities both with our EU and transatlantic partners, and in addition have maintained an active dialogue with Georgia and with the Russian Federation, pointing to the necessity of ending all hostilities. I consider that the Latvian government has taken a responsible course, our main duty was and is to mobilise the attention of the international community, in order to achieve the end of hostilities.

Esteemed members of parliament!

Latvia's political engagement and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia must be unequivocally continued. I invite the Saeima to offer its political evaluation of the existing situation today, and to issue a clearly-worded statement about ending all hostilities and the withdrawal of the Russian armed forces from the territory of Georgia.

Thank you for your attention!