EUROPEAN UNION NOT TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
02.09.2008 15:15 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Council of the European Union issued Presidency
conclusions of extraordinary summit held in Brussels on 1 September,
2008. The statement says,
1. The European Council is gravely concerned by the open conflict
which has broken out in Georgia, by the resulting violence and by
the disproportionate reaction of Russia. This conflict has led to
great suffering on both sides. Military action of this kind is not a
solution and is not acceptable. The European Council deplores the loss
of human life, the suffering inflicted on the population, the number of
displaced persons and refugees, and the considerable material damage.
2. The European Council strongly condemns Russia’s unilateral decision
to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. That
decision is unacceptable and the European Union calls on other States
not to recognize this proclaimed independence and asks the Commission
to examine the practical consequences to be drawn. It recalls that
a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia must be
based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity recognized by international law, the Final
Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
3. The European Council emphasizes that all European States have the
right freely to determine their foreign policy and their alliances,
while respecting international law and the principles of good
neighborliness and peaceful cooperation. It is also legitimate for
the security interests of each to be taken into account, so long as
the fundamental principles of respect for sovereignty, territorial
integrity and the independence of States are respected.
4. The European Council is pleased that the six-point agreement
achieved on 12 August on the basis of the European Union’s mediation
efforts has led to a ceasefire, improved delivery of humanitarian
aid to the victims, and a substantial withdrawal of Russian military
forces. The implementation of that plan has to be complete. The
European Council calls on the parties to continue the full
implementation in good faith of the agreement they have signed. The
military forces which have not yet withdrawn to the lines held prior
to the outbreak of hostilities must do so without delay. Besides the
provision of assistance to the victims, the urgent issue at the moment
is to finalise the international monitoring mechanism, in which the
Union is prepared to participate, and which is provided for in point
5 of the agreement, so as to replace the Russian additional security
measures in the zone adjacent to South Ossetia. It is also a matter
of urgency to begin the international talks provided for in point 6
of the agreement concerning the security and stability arrangements
in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
5. The European Union is ready to commit itself, including through a
presence on the ground, to support every effort to secure a peaceful
and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia. To that end,
the Member States of the European Union are making a significant
contribution to strengthening the OSCE observer mission in South
Ossetia, by sending observers and by making substantial material and
financial contributions. The European Union has also decided on the
immediate dispatch of a fact-finding mission with the task of helping
to gather information and defining the modalities for an increased
European Union commitment on the ground, under the European Security
and Defense Policy. The European Council invites the relevant Council
bodies to conclude all the necessary preparatory work in order that
a possible decision to commit such an observer mission can be taken
by the Council by 15 September 2008, depending on how the situation
develops, and in close coordination with the OSCE and the United
Nations. To this end the European Council requests the President of
the Council and the SG/HR to undertake all the necessary contacts
and discussions.
6. The European Union has already supplied emergency aid. It is
prepared to supply aid for reconstruction in Georgia, including
the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It is ready to support
confidence-building measures and the development of regional
cooperation. It also decides to step up its relations with Georgia,
including visa facilitation measures and the possible establishment
of a full and comprehensive free trade area as soon as the conditions
are met. It will take the initiative of convening an international
conference shortly to assist reconstruction in Georgia and requests the
Council and the Commission to start preparations for this conference.
7. The European Council notes with concern the impact which the current
crisis is having on the whole of the region. The European Union
considers that it is more necessary than ever to support regional
cooperation and step up its relations with its eastern neighbors,
in particular through its neighborhood policy, the development of the
"Black Sea Synergy" initiative and an "Eastern Partnership" which the
European Council wishes to adopt in March 2009; to this end it invites
the Commission to submit proposals in December 2008. In this context
the European Council stresses the importance of the forthcoming summit
between the European Union and Ukraine on 9 September.
8. The European Council decides to appoint a European Union Special
Representative for the crisis in Georgia and asks the Council to make
the necessary arrangements.
9. Recent events illustrate the need for Europe to intensify its
efforts with regard to the security of energy supplies. The European
Council invites the Council, in cooperation with the Commission,
to examine initiatives to be taken to this end, in particular as
regards diversification of energy sources and supply routes.
10. With the crisis in Georgia, relations between the EU and Russia
have reached a crossroads. The European Council considers that given
the interdependence between the European Union and Russia, and the
global problems they are facing, there is no desirable alternative
to a strong relationship, based on cooperation, trust and dialogue,
respect for the rule of law and the principles recognized by the
United Nations Charter and by the OSCE. It was for this reason that
we launched negotiations for a new framework agreement between the
Union and Russia last July.
11. We call on Russia to join with us in making this fundamental
choice in favor of mutual interest, understanding and cooperation. We
are convinced that it is in Russia’s own interest not to isolate
itself from Europe. For its part, the European Union has shown itself
willing to engage in partnership and cooperation, in keeping with the
principles and values on which it is based. We expect Russia to behave
in a responsible manner, honoring all its commitments. The Union will
remain vigilant; the European Council requests the Council, with the
Commission, to conduct a careful in-depth examination of the situation
and of the various aspects of EU-Russia relations; this evaluation
must begin now and continue in the run-up to the forthcoming summit
scheduled to take place in Nice on 14 November 2008. The European
Council gives a mandate to its President to continue discussions
with a view to the full application of the six-point agreement. To
that end, the President of the European Council will go to Moscow
on 8 September, accompanied by the President of the Commission and
the High Representative. Until troops have withdrawn to the positions
held prior to 7 August, meetings on the negotiation of the Partnership
Agreement will be postponed.