Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Latvia, Legislation

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In a statement, the EU parliamentarians condemned Russia's occupation and annexation of Crimea, thus violating the UN Charter, international law and its own commitments. At the same time, the parliamentarians also expressed serious concern about the fate and human rights situation of the ethnic Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian communities, which has gradually deteriorated since the Russian occupation.

The EU parliamentarians also condemned the hybrid-war Russia has launched in eastern Ukraine, as well as called on Russia to observe what it agreed to during the Minsk talks and immediately halt all military activities.

The EU parliamentarians also concluded that a long-term and peaceful solution to the conflict in Donbas and Lugansk can only be achieved through political means and diplomacy.

The parliamentarians also expressed support towards a new EU communications strategy, which would effectively counter propaganda.

As reported, the high-level Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defense Policy held in Riga on March 5 and 6 was one of the six interparliamentary events organized by the Saeima within the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Over 300 EU parliament members and officials, top NATO officials, as well as international experts attended the conference.