EU seeks “Balance” in Russia-Georgia Row

The EU expressed “grave concern” over Russia’s sanctions against Georgia on October 17 and called on Tbilisi and Moscow to tone down their rhetoric. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said that the issue will be discussed by the EU at a meeting with Russian President Putin on October 20.

Speaking at a news conference after a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council held by the EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on October 17, Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner made it clear that calls to tone down rhetoric are mainly directed at the Georgian authorities.

“I think this is very clearly and well reflected in our [General Affairs and External Relations] Council Conclusions that both sides [Georgia and Russia] have responsibilities and both clearly should tone down their public rhetoric as a first step, and I think only through diplomatic dialogue between Georgia and Russia can they get back to normal,” Ferrero-Waldner said.

“When we were there [in Tbilisi] as a Troika, we clearly reminded the Georgian authorities that it is particularly their rhetoric that has to be toned down. Because if you want to enter into a dialogue, if you want to engage with a very important neighbor which is Russia, then this is certainly one of the prerequisites… The Georgian leadership should avoid anything that could heighten tensions,” she added.

She said that the Council Conclusions also clearly show the EU’s concern on the measures that have been taken “against Georgians working in Russia and especially against schoolchildren, as well as pressure on Georgian-owned businesses and also economic sanctions.”

Ferrero-Waldner said that the consequences of the Russia’s actions can not contribute to the return to normal ties between the two countries.

She also said that the EU is ready to rebuild confidence and to facilitate dialogue “if it is asked for by both sides.” Russia has already rejected any international mediation to ease tensions with Georgia.

Speaking at the same news conference, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said that the EU has to balance between Russia, a strategic partner, and Georgia, which is in the EU neighborhood.

“Russia is an important player. For us Russia is an important neighbor. And we have to deal with Russia’s neighbor [Georgia], because we have a common neighborhood… But at the same time we have to take Russia as an important strategic partner… and we have to balance properly and I think we are doing this properly,” Solana said.

He added that the issue will be discussed on October 20 when the EU Heads of State and Government will host Russian President Vladimir Putin in Lahti, Finland. Solana said that the best way to tackle the issue is to have a “frank exchange of views with President Putin.”

The EU remains cautious about Georgia’s calls for it to become more involved in the South Ossetian peace process.

When asked about the EU’s position about the current peace format, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja responded: “We continue to support that.”