EU parliament president voices 'deep' concern over Georgia

European parliament president Hans-Gert Pöttering has welcomed Russia’s decision to suspend its military operation in Georgia.

However, he expressed “deep” concern at recent events in the former Russian republic.

Speaking in the wake of the newly-declared ceasefire in Georgia, he said, “The developments in Georgia over the last few days have been deeply worrying.

“The disproportionate use of force by the Russian army is reason of serious concern. Military activity led to the suffering of innocent people forced to leave their homes and the families of the victims of military activities.

“It must be clearly stated that only a political resolution of this or any other conflict is possible. Military means are not an option of addressing international disputes of the modern world. No country has the right to take in question the democratically elected leaderships of another country."

The German MEP added, “I welcome the decision of suspending the military operation and the agreement of both Georgia and Russia to the ceasefire plan developed by the French presidency of the EU which needs to be strictly respected.

“I appreciate that the EU is playing a leading role in ending the hostilities between the two sides and taking the responsibility for brokering a permanent and comprehensive solution, however respecting Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, which is a position expressed by the European parliament at numerous occasions.

“The EU needs to play an important and active political role on the ground facilitating the peace process."

He was speaking following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

Pöttering earlier this week sanctioned the mission of French Greens MEP Anne Isler Béguin,  chairwoman of parliament’s South Caucasus delegation, to Tbilisi to get first hand information on the situation.

Next Wednesday, parliament’s foreign affairs committee sub committee on security and defence and the delegation for relations with the South Caucasus will hold an extraordinary joint meeting to discuss latest developments in Georgia.

Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers, speaking in Brussels following the emergency talks, expressed broad support for proposals to send EU peacekeepers to the area to supervise the French-brokered ceasefire.

"We are determined to act on the ground," said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

"It is difficult to say we are optimistic... but we are encouraged by what we saw this morning, but we have to go through the United Nations."

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the EU was committed to providing humanitarian aid and assistance with reconstruction once the security situation allowed.

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