FM Paet: Russian Forces Vacating Georgia Is Important Goal for EU
08.09.2008
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the Gymnich informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers, which continued in Avignon, France on Saturday, 6 September. Topics of discussion were developments in Georgia, as well as EU-Russia relations. The ministers also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East peace process.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that Russian forces have not vacated Georgia to return to their pre-conflict positions. “The European Union must continue to demand that Russia close its checkpoints, remove its forces from Georgia, and fulfil the cease-fire agreement,” he added.
The foreign ministers confirmed the European Union’s strong political and economic support of Georgia. They emphasised once more that Russia must respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and return their soldiers to their pre-7 August positions without delay, as they agreed to do in the 6-point cease-fire agreement. “The European Union should not continue with the visa dialogue or negotiations for the new partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia before these requirements are met,” said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet.
According to Paet, the agreement to send an EU observation mission to Georgia should be made as soon as possible. “A decision should be reached at the European Union foreign ministers’ meeting on 15 September,” he added.
Urmas Paet emphasised that for a foreign policy plan, the EU urgently needs to think through its future relations with Russia. “Russia’s behaviour demonstrates a change in the paradigm, and the European Union must adapt its policies accordingly. This is also tied to the fulfilment of the 6-point cease-fire agreement Russia signed with Georgia,” he added.
When talking about the peacekeeping format in Georgia, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that it must certainly change. “As one party in the conflict, Russia may no longer participate in peacekeeping in Georgia,” stressed Foreign Minister Paet. “The European Union must discuss opportunities for sending a peacekeeping mission to Georgia,” Paet noted, adding that Estonia is ready to contribute as much as it is able to the mission.
On the topic of building up Georgia, Foreign Minister Paet said that EU nations must continue to give aid to Georgia, since the need for humanitarian aid is still great. “An international conference of donors to Georgia should take place as soon as possible,” said Paet. “The European Union should also move quickly towards concluding a visa facilitation agreement and a comprehensive free trade agreement with Georgia,” he added.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet also stressed the importance of the upcoming EU-Ukraine summit. “It is extremely important that the European Union take the changed situation into account and confirm Ukraine’s European Union membership perspective,” Paet added. The EU foreign ministers emphasised that at the moment, it is more important than ever before that the EU strengthens its ties with European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries.
