The European Union is highly concerned at the Caucasus crisis. The Extraordinary EU Council called on the conflict parties to implement the six-point plan forthwith. Relations with Georgia are to be intensified, and an international conference for the entire country's reconstruction will be organized. In its relations with Russia the EU, while favouring cooperation, will at the same time remain vigilant.
Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed the Council conclusions: "They clearly call on the two sides not to continue the spiral of escalation."
It was now important, he added, to begin reconstruction and get aid to the people in need. Moreover, he said, efforts to make the cease-fire permanent had to continue: "We need to work on the international monitoring mechanism." Finally, dialogue with Russia had to be maintained.
In Chancellor Angela Merkel's opinion the EU had sent a "signal of unity, of solidarity from Brussels". She underscored that the EU had "reached an outstanding compromise."
Clear message of support for Georgia
The EU decided to assist Georgia's reconstruction, also in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It also held out the prospect of visa facilitation and the establishment of a "full and comprehensive free trade area".
An international conference on reconstruction in Georgia is to be convened shortly.
The EU summit also underlined Georgia's territorial integrity, strongly condemning Russia's recognition of the Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
Implementing the peace plan
The EU heads of state and government reiterated their call for the full implementation of the six-point plan mediated by the French EU Presidency.
Even now EU Member States are making major contributions to the OSCE Mission to Georgia. However, the EU, too, will send an observer mission to the country to monitor the implementation of the peace plan. The details are to be decided by the EU foreign ministers when they meet in Brussels on 15 September. The EU also intends to appoint a "European Union Special Representative for the crisis in Georgia".
Continuing dialogue with Russia
Given the interdependence between the EU and Russia, the Council was in favour of a strong relationship with that country. This relationship had to be based on cooperation, trust and dialogue, respect for the rule of law and the principles recognized by the United Nations Charter and the OSCE.
At the same time the Conclusions speak of a "crossroads" due to the crisis in Georgia. The various aspects of EU-Russia relations will therefore now be examined.
To that end, the French EU Council President Nicolas Sarkozy, Commission President José Manuel Barroso and the EU High Representative for the CFSP, Javier Solana, will visit Moscow and Tbilisi on 8 September to continue discussions with Russia and Georgia "with a view to the full implementation of the six-point agreement". This was expressly welcomed by Minister Steinmeier.
The next rounds of talks on a Partnership Agreement between the EU and Russia will be postponed "until troops have withdrawn to the positions held prior to 7 August."
Last updated 01.09.2008
Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #
