The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Wednesday urging Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia under a ceasefire agreement with the Caucasus state.
The resolution, which also urges Russia to reduce its peacekeeping presence in the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, was supported by 549 MPs, with 68 opposed and 61 abstaining.
Russia and Georgia fought a brief war after Tbilisi launched in early August an attack aimed at bringing the breakaway pro-Russian region of South Ossetia back under its control. Russia”s operation to “force Georgia to peace” was criticized internationally as excessive, and its subsequent decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia condemned as “irresponsible.”
Russia has withdrawn its regular troops from Georgia, but insists it can maintain checkpoints in security zones near the regions under the ceasefire deal brokered by France. Moscow has also accused Tbilisi of building up troops near South Ossetia.
Lawmakers backed the EU summit”s resolution on Monday, urging respect for Georgia”s territorial integrity and threatening a delay in crucial partnership talks with Russia if it fails to withdraw from Georgia completely.
European lawmakers also rejected attempts by the second largest, socialist, faction to include remarks to the effect that Georgia was responsible for the outbreak of the conflict.
