By Chris Jones - 16th October 2006
The European commission has said it is “gravely concerned” about the situation in Georgia but has stopped short of an outright condemnation of Russia.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, foreign policy chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the treatment of Georgians in Russia was “extremely serious”.
But she said that “both countries have to accept their responsibility” for the crisis.
“Both countries must tone down the rhetoric,” Ferrero-Waldner said. “The Georgian leadership should also avoid any action that would heighten the tension.”
Russia’s support for breakaway Georgian enclaves in Abkahzia and South Ossetia has angered the government in Tblisi, whose recent arrest of Russian army officers for spying led to the escalation of tension.
Moscow has severed all links with Georgia, stranding thousands of Georgians in Russia and putting a stranglehold on the country’s economy.
Ferrero-Waldner said the EU would “work with both sides” to find a solution to the problem.
But she declined to say whether Russian president Vladimir Putin would be put under pressure at the informal EU summit in Finland later this week to ease restrictions on Georgia.
Both the commission and the Finnish EU presidency are keen to avoid falling out with Russia ahead of the summit, and amid ongoing talks about energy supplies.
The EU foreign policy chief stressed that Georgia and other countries did not have to make a choice between looking east or west.
“The essence of the EU’s neighbourhood policy is that moving closer to the EU doesn’t mean ignoring Russia.”
“Both Georgia and Ukraine need to have good relations with Russia, and with the EU.”
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