Following the debate which took place during the sitting of 7 May 2008, the European Parliament adopted, by 581 votes to 50 with 17 abstentions, a resolution on the situation in Georgia.

The resolution had been tabled for consideration in plenary by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and UEN groups.

Parliament expresses its deep concern at the escalation of the situation in Abkhazia and calls on all parties to refrain from actions that could further destabilise the situation. It also calls for renewed international efforts to bring the parties back to dialogue and restart the peace process with a view to reaching a lasting and comprehensive settlement.

The resolution expresses its deep disapproval at Russia's announcement that it would establish official ties with institutions within the separatist authorities of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and it deplores, in this regard, the decision taken by the Russian Ministry of Defence on 31 May 2008 to send its forces to Abkhazia to restore the rail and road infrastructure in the breakaway region in accordance with the presidential decree.

Parliament reaffirms its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. It supports the efforts that have been made to calm the situation through talks between the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), President Saakashvili and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, urging the Russian Federation to withdraw its additional troops in Abkhazia immediately. Parliament calls for a deeper European involvement in these frozen conflicts in order to move the peace processes forward. The Council is asked to consider bolstering the international presence in the conflict zone by sending an European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) border mission, drawing on the positive experience of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) at the Transnistrian section of the border between Moldova and Ukraine. MEPs call for an investigation by the UN into whether all relevant UN Security Council resolutions are being closely followed by all actors in the conflict zone.

Parliament believes that further efforts have to be made in close cooperation with the international community to address all the problems identified in the electoral process caused by the inconsistent implementation of the OSCE and Council of Europe standards. Therefore, it is necessary to improve and consolidate Georgia's democratic achievements, and to make the electoral process more transparent so as to further increase confidence in this process. Parliament calls on all political forces in Georgia to respect the rule of law, to commit themselves to constructive dialogue and compromise and to refrain from further polarising Georgian society.

Parliament supports Georgia's aspirations to speed up the process of integration with the European Union in the framework of an enhanced ENP. Members call on the Council and Commission to speed up the opening of negotiations on the EU-Georgia visa regime. They go on to welcome the Council Conclusions of 18 February 2008 on the ENP concerning the need to start negotiations on comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DFTAs) where possible. The Commission is urged to seek a rapid agreement with Georgia and to establish an investment framework, in particular for projects relating to infrastructure, energy and environmental protection, as well as education, democracy building and social cohesion.

The House held a debate, following on the Council and Commission statements, on the deterioration of the situation in Georgia.

A motion for a resolution winding up this debate is due to be put to the vote at the June I part-session in Brussels.