SAVICKIS AND OTHERS v. LATVIA JUDGMENT Whereas the Soviet annexation of the three Baltic states has still not been formally recognised by most European states and the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Vatican still adhere to the concept of Baltic states, ... Calls on the Conference of Foreign Minister meeting in political cooperation to attempt to form a common favourable approach to the declaration addressed to the United Nations in 1979, Suggests that they submit the issue of the Baltic states to the Decolonisation Subcommittee on the U.N., ... Expresses the hope that the Conference of Foreign Ministers will use their best endeavours to see that the aspirations of the peoples of these states as to their form of government is realised, Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the European Community meeting in political cooperation, and to the governments of the Member States.” IV. REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE BODIES A. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 85. Resolution 189 (1960) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, entitled “Situation in the Baltic States on the twentieth anniversary of their forcible incorporation into the Soviet Union”, adopted on 29 September 1960, reads as follows: “1. The Assembly, 2. On the twentieth anniversary of the occupation and forcible incorporation into the Soviet Union of the three European States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, 3. Notes that this illegal annexation took place without any genuine reference to the wishes of the people; 4. Expresses sympathy with the sufferings of the Baltic peoples and assures them that they are not forgotten by their fellow Europeans; 5. Is confident that Communist oppression will not succeed in crushing their spirit and faith in freedom and democracy; 6. Notes that the independent existence of the Baltic States is still recognised de jure by a great majority of the Governments of the nations of the free world; 7. Urges member Governments to support appropriate efforts of Baltic refugees to maintain their natural culture, traditions and languages, in anticipation of the time when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will be able to play their part as free nations in our democratic international institutions.” 29

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