EU Urges to End Standoff in Adjara

The European Union appealed for a negotiated end to a tense standoff between the central government of Georgia and its region of Adjara.

The EU, reaffirming its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, said in a statement issued on March 17 that it “calls on all sides to refrain from any further escalation which could result in violence”.

“The EU is ready to contribute to such a settlement together with the other international organizations and key players in the region.”

The EU’s Special Envoy for the South Caucasus, Finnish diplomat Heikki Talvitie, flew to Georgia on Tuesday to discuss the crisis with President Saakashvili.