Topic: Situation in Georgia
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: Leslie Cyranowski
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Belgium position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
On August 7th the Russian Federation surged into South Ossetia and launched bombing raids further into Georgia. It was in August 26 that the Russia Federation formally announced their decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The reasoning behind this declaration is that South Ossetia and Abkhazia have a right to choose whether they wish to be part of the Russia Federation or stay in the position they are, being part of the Georgian Republic. Georgia on the other hand, claims that Russia invaded its borders without reason; that it has the right to judge internal issues without foreign help.
The Belgian government condemns Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Foreign Minister Karel De Gaucht said that this recognition of Georgia’s breakaway states was ‘unacceptable’ and ‘violates the territorial integrity of Georgia and goes contrary to all international principals and resolutions of United Nations.’ Belgium does not believe that any resolution should be forced upon these two countries, but strongly urges Georgia and Russia to come to a peaceful agreement. Belgium has hosted open talks between Georgia and Russia in the hope of coming to some kind of resolution to this problem. The government has also sent economic and financial aid to Georgia and has helped initiate a number of important projects there.
The United States supports Belgium’s policy in Georgia. They believe, along with most countries, that Russia is violating the territorial integrity or Georgia. The European Union is supportive of Georgia’s territorial integrity as well. Brussels is the main headquarters of both the EU institutions and NATO, and it is not hard to discern that Belgium agrees wholly with these establishments.
Belgium would like to see the Six-point peace plan put into action and followed by all countries. Aware that the agreement is not a peace settlement but instead provides the basis for and end to the fighting and a way to pave the way for a political solution, Belgium would like to be involved in writing a resolution that both countries can agree on and follow.
