Baltics unite with neighbors against Russia

JURMALA 's Parliamentary speakers from the Northern Europe, including those from the Baltics, have released a joint statement condemning Russia's decision to recognize the independence of the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The announcement came after eight parliamentary speakers from the Nordic and Baltic states concluded a high profile meeting in the Latvian seaside resort town of Jurmalaon Thursday.

"Russia's decision violates many resolutions of the UN Security Council asserting Georgia's territorial integrity and contravenes the fundamental principles of the OSCE. The speakers of the Nordic and Baltic parliaments are calling on Russiato revoke its decision," the statement said.

The parliamentary speakers note that Russiamust immediately comply with the six-point agreement and ensure that humanitarian aid can be freely supplied to Georgiaand its infrastructure restored.

The leaders also stressed the importance of parliamentary cooperation with Georgiato help the country build a democratic society.

The comments represent the second major joint statement released by the Baltics over Russia's attack of Georgia.

The first came in the form of a strongly worded joint statement issued by Polandand the Baltic states shortly after Russian troops entered the country almost two weeks ago. Heads of state from Polandand the Baltics are now due to renew that statement ahead of a European Council meeting on the issue scheduled for next Monday.

The leaders, who are set to meet in the Estonian President's residence on Thursday evening, plan to forge a unified stance on Georgia.

"There is an expectation from the Baltic Statesthat the presidents in Brusselswill present a common stance," said Piotr Kownacki, vice-chief of the Polish president's chancellery, in a Thursday interview with Polish Radio station ZET.

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev signed decrees recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on Tuesday. The president said he was left with "no choice" following the alleged "genocide" that Georgiainitiated in the region of South Ossetia.

The two breakaway regions unilaterally declared independence from Georgia in the early '90s, but Russiais so far the only country to recognize that declaration.