Brussels, 10/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - The path is clear for negotiations to resume between the EU and Moscow on a new reinforced agreement, despite Lithuania's opposition. Four days ahead of the EU/Russia Summit to be held in Nice on 14 November, 26 of the 27 Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU on Monday gave their political approval to the swift resumption of talks. The exact date is not yet known, but Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced that the next negotiating session with the Russians is likely to be convened very soon after the Nice Summit and further to forthcoming discussions in Geneva on security in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, scheduled for 18 November. "We all agree, with the exception of one country", that negotiations should be resumed, announced Bernard Kouchner at the end of the General Affairs/External Relations Council on Monday, speaking to the press of his satisfaction at this "virtually general agreement". We must continue talks with Russia, "there is no other alternative", said the President-in-exercise of the Council. These negotiations with Moscow will serve the interests of the EU and will, over time, be the "only way for it (the Union) to pursue its own objectives, promote its own principles and values and firmly to defend its own interests", said Mr Kouchner. The negotiations, which were launched on 4 July 2008, were suspended by the European Council of 1 September as a protest against the Russian military incursion onto the territory of Georgia during August's conflict. On Monday, Mr Kouchner stressed the fact that no formal decision of the Council was required to allow the Commission to resume talks. Having the blessing of 26 of the 27 countries is "sufficient", he said.
The French Presidency of the EU takes the view that Russia has observed its commitments, including its obligation to withdraw its troops to the positions they occupied before the outbreak of the war with Georgia. However, in order to reassure Poland and other countries which have voiced misgivings (Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Sweden), the French Presidency made a declaration to the Council on Monday in which it stated that, amongst other things: - the conclusions of the European Council of 1 September and of 15 and 16 October on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia and the implementation of the agreements of 12 August and 8 September remain "relevant in all areas, including regarding access to certain areas"; - Russia must continue to implement its commitments and become involved constructively in international discussions underway at Geneva; - the EU will continue fully to support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia; - the assessment of the EU-Russia relationship will be continued, particularly in light of Russian behaviour. It will be taken into account in the continuation of negotiations for the new agreement and in other aspects of the relationship; - the continued negotiations on the new agreement in no way legitimises the status quo in Georgia or any Russian behaviour (particularly its acknowledgement of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia: Ed) which runs counter to the values and principles of the EU.
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the "good way forward" decided upon by the Council. "Resuming talks is in the interests of the Union. Now is the right moment to do so". Last week, the Commission pleaded in favour of the immediate resumption of negotiations. In the view of Ms Ferrero-Waldner, the "very strong" political support expressed at Monday's Council is enough to move forward. "Resuming talks does not mean that we intend to be lax with Russia, or that we accept the status quo in Georgia", she stressed. The Commission will stick strictly to its negotiating mandate (decided upon unanimously by the Council), which takes account of the sensitivities of all Member States, stressed Ms Ferrero-Waldner. (H.B./trans.fl)