EU summit not likely to impose sanctions against Russia

BRUSSELS, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- Leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) member

states are to hold an emergency summit here Monday to discuss the situation in

Georgia and the bloc's future relations with Russia.

The three-hour summit, initiated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, is

not likely to decide on any sanctions against Russia, which recognized rebel

Georgian regions South Ossetia and Abkhazialast week as independent states.

A Russian armoured vehicle leaves the

tunnel in the territory of South Ossetia as it heads towards the Russian

border, Aug. 26, 2008. (Chinese media/Reuters Photo)
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France, the rotating EU presidency, softened its tone Friday, saying this

was not the time for sanctions as news reports said Russia was ready to cut oil

flow to a pipeline serving Poland and Germany.

France has tried to shift the focus of the summit from sanctions on Russia

to aid for Georgia.

In answer to the French call, Poland and other new EU members have given up

their previous demand to punish Russia by imposing sanctions, although they are

still urging the bloc to issue a strong condemnation of Moscow's recognition of

the two breakaway Georgian regions.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday that his country "will do its

job if it contributes to a united stance of the entire European Union."

"Slovenia supports the French standpoint on this matter," said Prime

Minister Janez Jansa, referring to France's announcement that sanctions are not

on the summit agenda.

"We are united on the need to ensure peace, stability, territorial

integrity in Georgia and the broader region and to give the region a European

perspective," he said after talks Sunday with his Czech and Latvian counterparts

Mirek Topolanek and Ivars Godmanis.

Earlier, the 27-nation EU had been divided over how to deal with Russia.

Poland, Britain and other new members of the EU insisted on strong

measures, including sanctions, while others, such as France, Germany and Spain,

which have close ties with Moscow, were reluctant to do so.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in a bid to ease the tension with the

West, told British Prime Minister Gordon Brown over phone Saturday that the

six-point plan brokered by France is still valid and Russia would continue to

abide by it.

Brown told British media Sunday that he will press for a thorough

reassessment of ties with Russia at the summit.

The summit is expected to reiterate the bloc's condemnation of Russia's

move to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as being against international law

and "unacceptable," calling for Moscow to entirely withdraw its troops from

Georgia.

In a show of support to Georgia, the EU summit will negotiate a free trade agreement and the opening of a dialogue on a free visa regime to strengthen its ties with the country.

Medvedev: Russia's recognition over breakaway regions irreversible

MOSCOW, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Sunday he will not change the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, pledging military and economic aid to the two Georgian breakaway regions.

"The current task of Russia is the provision of peace and tranquillity. We have made a decision, and this decision is irreversible," local media quoted him as saying on Moscow's recognition over the self-proclaimed independence of the two Caucasus regions. Full story

Georgia says cutting ties with Russia its only choice

TBILISI, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Sunday his country had "no other choice" but to cut ties with Russia after Moscow recognized the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions.

"This was a difficult decision, but Georgia had no other choice than that," Saakashvili was quoted by the Caucasus Press news agency as saying.Full story

Georgian FM: Russia-Georgia conflict likely to trigger "domino effect"

ANKARA, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- Georgian Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili warned Sunday that the Russia-Georgia conflict could spark a "domino effect," the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

The conflicts between Russia and Georgia could spread to Ukraine or other countries, thus posing a serious threat (to regional security), said Tkeshelashvili, who arrived in Istanbul on Sunday for a working visit.Full story

Three EU premiers call for Caucasus peace, stability

BELGRADE, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- The premiers of three European Union member countries -- Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Latvia -- on Sunday called for peace and stability in the Caucasus and the region's accession to the EU.

"We are united on the need to ensure peace, stability, territorial integrity in Georgia and the broader region and to give the region a European perspective," said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa after talks with his Czech and Latvian counterparts Mirek Topolanek and Ivars Godmanis at the Slovenian lake-side resort of Bled.Full story

Putin says Russia acts "correctly" in S Ossetia

MOSCOW, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that his country acted "correctly, morally and in accordance with international law" on the South Ossetia issue, local media reported.

"The truth is on our side. We act absolutely correctly, morally and in accordance with international law," Putin said in an interview with Russia's Vesti-24 television. Full story

Bush, Berlusconi talk over phone on Georgia-Russia conflict

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (Chinese media) -- U.S. President George W. Bush discussed by telephone with Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi on the conflict between Russia and Georgia on Sunday, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

"The leaders discussed the importance of supporting Georgia's territorial integrity, and the need for Russia to comply with all elements of the cease-fire agreement and withdraw its troops from Georgia in accordance with that agreement," Johndroe said in a statement. Full story