Today, on August 13, 2008, thirteen representatives of Latvian NGOs pronounced the foundation of “Latvian NGO coalition for the support of Georgia” which main goal is to ensure active and coordinated political support and humanitarian aid to Georgia.
The coalition involves different socially active Latvian NGOs, which has cooperation experience with Georgia and which are now actively working there.
Coalition has elaborated a call for Latvia’s society, government and Saeima to provide more active support to Georgia. Coalition will work in a fast and flexible way and respond to the development of situation and needs in Georgia, as well as plans to come together in the nearest future to discuss the further action for continuing provision of humanitarian aid to Georgia.
Call to society, government and Saeima!
We, Latvian NGO coalition for support of Georgia, highly appreciate the support the societies, parliaments and governments of the Baltic States and Poland has showed to Georgia by inviting also other European countries to involve actively for support of Georgia.
(1) We call Latvia’s inhabitants and NGOs to stay in contact with partners in Georgia and continue the ongoing projects, as well involve new partners if needed.
(2) We call the sponsors of Latvia’s NGOs continue to finance cooperation projects in spite of difficult situation Georgia faces today, as well as increase their support and be flexible, by responding the changes in needs according to current conditions.
(3) We call Latvia’s government to lobby actively a united position of the European Union for support of independent, democratic and sovereign Georgia by starting the “open door” policy regarding Georgia as integral part of future Europe and be initiating the organisation of the EU foreign affairs minister meeting in Tbilisi.
(4) We call the Latvian government in the framework of NATO actively defend the continuation of the “open door” policy regarding Georgia.
(5) We call Latvian government to provide technical help to spread proper and comprehensive information about the events in Georgia.
(6) We call Saeima to express its readiness to send Latvian peace keepers to the mission in Georgia in the framework of the EU peace keeping mission, as well as promote positive decision of the EU regarding the EU peace keeping mission in Georgia, encouraging the involvement also other EU states.
(7) We call Saeima in the light of the events of Georgia to evaluate the changes in the Latvia’s national security situation, especially concentrating to those policy directions, e.g., energy policies, which are based on assumption that Russia is predictable partner with the high level of trust.
Latvian NGO coalition for support of Georgia:
IMKA Latvija
Latvian Transatlantic organisation (LATO)
Red Cross Latvia
Public policy centre “Providus”
Georgian association in Latvia „Samshoblo”
LĢPSVA „Papardes zieds”
“Glābiet bērnus”
Transparency International Latvia -DELNA
GLEN Latvija
European Movement Latvia
Latvijas Augstkolu pedagogu sadarbības asociācija
Latvian Portage Association
Latvian NGDO Platform (LAPAS)
Rīga, August 13, 2008
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