A/RES/48/18 Page 2 Recalling with particular satisfaction that independence was restored in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through peaceful and democratic means, Recognizing that the stationing of foreign military forces in the territories of Estonia and Latvia without the required consent of those countries is a problem remaining from the past that must be resolved in a peaceful manner, Welcoming the withdrawal of the military forces of the Russian Federation from the territory of Lithuania, which was completed on 31 August 1993 in accordance with a previously agreed timetable, Welcoming also the progress achieved in reducing the foreign military presence in Estonia and Latvia, Concerned that the bilateral talks on the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia, initiated in February 1992, have not yet yielded agreements, as called for in resolution 47/21, Recognizing that the completion of the withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia will facilitate the consolidation of their restored independence and the rebuilding of their economies, Welcoming further the good offices mission that the Secretary-General recently sent to the Baltic States and the Russian Federation in pursuit of the implementation of resolution 47/21, Recalling the "Helsinki Document 1992 - the Challenges of Change",3/ in particular paragraph 15 of the Helsinki Summit Declaration, agreed upon at the meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe held at Helsinki on 9 and 10 July 1992, Recognizing also that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe is a regional arrangement in the sense of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, and as such provides an important link between European and global security, Recognizing further that regional organizations participating in complementary efforts with the United Nations may encourage States outside the region to act supportively, 1. Calls again upon the States concerned, in line with the basic principles of international law and in order to prevent any possible conflict, to conclude without delay appropriate agreements, including timetables, for the early, orderly and complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia; __________ 3/ A/47/361-S/24370, annex. /...