7 February 1995

Doc. 7235

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in the Setu region and on the Estonian-Russian border

presented by Mr HINT, Estonia, LDR and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Assembly is concerned about the situation in the region inhabited by the Setu ethnographic community in south-east Estonia and in the Pskov region of the Russian Federation.

2.       The Setu community, belonging to the group of southern Estonians and speaking a subdialect of the south Estonian Vōru dialect, and having valuable specific ethnographical characteristics, is deeply concerned about its future, having been divided by the Estonian-Russian border.

3.       The fact that Estonia and Russia do not have a border treaty, recognised by both states, is a serious hindrance for communication across the border.

4.       The refusal of the Russian Federation to recognise the former Estonian-Russian border treaty as agreed in the Tartu Peace Treaty (1920), and unilateral marking by Russia of the new border on the administrative demarcation line of the Soviet occupation period has created tensions between the two states, and hindered cross-border communication that may turn out to be fatal for the small divided Setu community.

5.       In these circumstances, the Assembly wishes to be presented in the near future with a report on the situation and the specific cultural, religious and economic needs of the Setu community.

6.       Taking into account the abnormal situation of having no recognised border treaty between Estonia and the Russian Federation, the Assembly calls on the Council of Europe to act as an intermediary in the Estonian-Russian border treaty.

Signed:

Hint, Estonia, LDR

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Seitlinger, France, EPP

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Atkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Kelam, Estonia, EDG

Gabrielescu, Romania, EPP

Dundee, United Kingdom, EDG

Ryynänen, Finland, LDR

Anttila, Finland, LDR

Durrieu, France, SOC

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Landsbergis, Lithuania, EDG

Paunescu, Romania, UEL

Johnston, United Kingdom, LDR

Irmer, Germany, LDR

Muehlemann, Switzerland, LDR

Jagmetti, Switzerland, LDR

Mihaylova, Bulgaria, LDR

Burbiené, Lithuania, LDR

Gricius, Lithuania, LDR

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left