Brussels, 01/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - Determined to maintain the dialogue with Moscow, EU heads of state and government, meeting in Brussels on Monday 1 September, did not go for spectacular measures against Russia (see EUROPE 9729). The EU will be vigilant and, if there is no progress towards full implementation of the 6-point agreement, could toughen its stance and review future relations with Russia in various areas. Apart from this call to Russian goodwill, the European Council once again condemned Moscow's decision to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and restated Europe's commitment on the ground, for example through the appointment of a special representative or the launch of a civil ESDP mission (a formal decision on which could be forthcoming on 15 September).
According to the draft conclusions, being adopted at the time of going to press, the European Council once again criticises Russia's disproportionate reaction to the Georgian offensive into South Ossetia on 7 August. Firmly condemning Russia's unilateral decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the European Council calls on other states not to follow this path and invites the European Commission to examine the concrete consequences to be drawn. It highlights once more what is needed for a sustainable, lasting solution: full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. So as not to upset any member states, the text states that every state in Europe has the right freely to determine its foreign policy and its alliances, and that it is legitimate for the security interests of each to be taken into account.
Although the 6-point agreement subscribed to by the two parties on 12 August has brought a ceasefire, better channelling of humanitarian aid to victims of the conflict and a substantial withdrawal of Russian military forces, the plan has to be implemented in full and in good faith. The return of Russian troops to the positions they held before the outbreak of hostilities must take place without delay, the European Council says. Implementation of points 5 and 6 of the agreement remains the priority. Apart from emergency aid, the EU is ready to help Georgia to rebuild, and this includes in the Abkhazian and Ossetian regions, and to support confidence-building measures and the development of regional cooperation. When conditions are ripe, it will also consider enhancing relations with Georgia by means of visa facilitation and setting up a full and comprehensive free trade zone. Europe says it is ready, within a very short timescale, to call an international conference to help the reconstruction of the country. The Council and Commission were called on to make preparations.
The EU also announced its intension to strengthen its presence on the ground, including by sending observers as part of a civil ESDP monitoring mission (see EUROPE 9726). An exploratory mission, whose numbers are currently being increased, has been charged with examining how this might be done. Preparations will be carried out rapidly so that a decision to deploy the observation mission can be taken by the External Relations Council on 15 September, depending on developments in the area. The EU, which already has Swede Peter Semneby as its Special Representative for the Southern Caucasus, is likely to appoint a Special Representative for the crisis in Georgia, say the conclusions, which also speak of strengthening the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission by sending observers and by the provision of material and financial contributions. The EU, concerned at the regional impact of the crisis, also restates its intention to enhance relations with its eastern neighbours, through its Neighbourhood Policy, the development of the Black Sea synergy and an eastern partnership which the European Council will seek to adopt in March 2009. Proposals are to be submitted by December 2008.
Relations between the EU and Russia are at a crossroads, but the European Council believes that, given the interdependence of the two partners and the global problems, there is no alternative preferable to a strong relationship, based on cooperation, confidence and dialogue. Negotiations on a new EU-Russia partnership agreement, which were launched in July, have not been suspended at this point. The next negotiations meeting, scheduled for 15-16 September, will take place, although, at the time of going to press, there was still a possibility that it could be postponed to a later date. While calling on Moscow to choose mutual interest, understanding and cooperation, the EU will continue to closely monitor developments in the situation and expects Russia to behave responsibly, in line with its commitments. Before the next EU-Russia Summit (in Nice on 14 November), the European Council calls on the Council and the Commission to examine the situation and the various dimensions of EU-Russia relations carefully and in depth. Future decisions on continuing discussions on future relations between the EU and Russia in various areas will take account of how well Moscow implements all its commitments under the 6-point plan, the European Council warns. A special edition, numbered 9730a and devoted to the Extraordinary European Council of Brussels, is attached hereto. (A.B./transl.rt)