Europe News
EU issues Russian troop ultimatum (2nd Roundup)
Sep 1, 2008, 20:49 GMT
Brussels - European Union leaders fired a warning shot at Moscow on Monday by threatening to suspend talks on a deeper relationship with Russia until its troops withdrew from Georgia.
'The European Council considers that given the interdependence between the European Union and Russia, and the global problems they are facing, there is no desirable alternative to a strong relationship, based on cooperation, trust and dialogue,' EU leaders said at an emergency meeting in Brussels.
'Until troops have withdrawn to the positions held prior to 7 August, meetings on the negotiation of the Partnership Agreement will be postponed,' they added.
Washington welcomed the EU decision and said it demonstrated that 'Europe and the United States are united in standing firm behind Georgia's territorial integrity, sovereignty and reconstruction.'
The next round of talks on a new cooperation deal with Russia are scheduled for September 15.
Before that, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the bloc, will head a high-level EU delegation to Moscow on Monday.
The visit will give the EU a chance to review whether the six- point peace plan signed by Russia and Georgia is being implemented, Sarkozy said.
Should no sign of a Russian troop withdrawal materialize by then, the EU will suspend the September 15 talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
The original PCA, which came into force in 1997, is a contract drawn up between the EU and Russia governing their relationship in matters such as trade, investment, environmental protection, tourism and cultural exchanges.
The decision to suspend talks was the result of a hard-fought compromise pitting hardliners such as Britain, Poland and the Baltics on one side and Germany, France and Italy on the other.
Poland in particular had called for a tough response to Russia's 'disproportionate' use of force in Georgia, including the possibility of sanctions.
EU doves such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel had, on the other hand, stressed the need for dialogue with Moscow and thus show that the bloc can play a mediating role in the South Caucasus conflict.
The outcome of the summit was hailed as a victory by both sides.
While Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the joint statement issued in Brussels 'an important conclusion,' Merkel said EU leaders had found an 'excellent compromise.'
'Today Europe is united around the propositions put forward by the French presidency (of the EU),' Sarkozy said.
In Brussels, EU leaders said Russia's decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia not only violated international law, but also posed a serious threat to future EU- Russia relations. They urged other countries not to follow Moscow's lead.
'We join the EU in condemning Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and in calling on other states not to recognize these Georgian separatist regions. We also agree with the EU's conclusion that Russia has a choice to make in order not to isolate itself from Europe,' a White House statement said.
So far, Russia is the only country to have recognized the two regions as independent nations. Only Belarus and Venezuela have indicated they might do the same.
Russia's isolation has not stopped President Dmitry Medvedev from telling the EU that Moscow's decision to recognize the breakaway Georgian enclaves was 'irrevocable.'
In an ominous sign of things to come, reports out of Berlin said Russia's Gazprom had decided to shut down its Yamal natural-gas pipeline supplying Western Europe for more than a day this week, ostensibly for 'routine maintenance.'
EU nations are largely dependent on Russia for their energy needs, from whom they currently import about 40 per cent of their gas and 33 per cent of their oil.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
We will see who needs what from whom?
Well, let me explain. It is these 27 little snot nose countries from the so-called European Union that will soon need gas to heat their small homes for the winter.
It is NOT the insignificant EU that is in the position to make any demands.
It also looks silly trying to do the US' dirty work in Georgia.
But than the US is in NO position to do crap either, being bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the middle of a presidential campaign and hurricanes making things difficult for its coastal populations.
I see Russia's position much better.
Rich in oil and gas. Having successfully nationalized those companies. Its weapons industries doing brisk business with China, India, Venezuela, Iran, Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Central Asian countries.
From the brink of bankruptcy a decade ago to having nearly 500 billion dollars worth in foreign cash reserves, a large portion of it in US Treasury Bonds. That thanks to GWB who said that he could see in Putin's soul and saw him as a friend that he could trust.
I like Russia's chances.
Even more so because of close partnerships within the SCO. That would make economic sanctions by the EU and US against Russia ineffective.
I really like Russia's chances!
What your article neglects to informs its readers about, is that fact that shutdown for maintenance of the Yamal pipeline was announced NINE months ago, and has been acknowledged as fact by the Europeans...not that acknowledgement by the Europeans is necessary, and the Russians announced that gas would be increased via other pipelines whilst this one is shut down. But hey, we wouldn't want facts to get in the way of an anti-Russian diatribe, would we?
It is surprising to see such emotion-ridden, and reason-free articles in the Western press. Good example is the decision by EU to suspend the EU/Russia partnership talks. Keep in mind that these 'talks' were supposed to be happening for the last year and half. The chief obstacle to talks were differences among EU members on the approach. The pro-US group (Poland, Baltics) were pushing for US-favored outcome, that is, an agreement that would end up micro-managing EU countries and limiting bilateral economic ties. The outcome of the EU meeting is to effectively put an end to minority-driven demands on EU to regulate individual countries trade relations with Russia. The language is suprisingly positive, emphasizing the need for partnership. Some amount of bluster is expected, but there are zero impacts on the existing Russia-EU trade or relationships.
The article is also shortsighted, as it fails to observe the world reaction to this bluster. The bottom line is, EU and US need to re-examine their policies towards collective security. If the current trend towards isolationism continues, the world will have to come up with an alternative collective security structures. It may come as a surprise to many that the US/EU policies are isolationist, even though they have their interests worldwide. However, the definition of isolationism is based on the prevailing character of the alliance: consulting and negotiating only within their own club. The Western club of nations, calling themselves 'the international community' has for a long time developed into a 'mutual admiration society', that does not accept, consider or accomodate legitimate interests of others. Collective security, by contrast, involves all members of UN Security Council, understanding that there will be periodic vetos. Veto is a mechanism that insures that nobody threads on the interests of others, and that more work, more cooperation, or at time even more confrontation will happen, before the powers are ready for a compromise solution. This is the way compromises, and eventually better world, is made. Bush administration, and even Clinton administration before him, had persistently violated basic principles of 'first do no harm'. They have started many a hot-spot, and we are now staring to reap the fruits of such a world. Before we plunge into the truimphalism, again, it will be wise to rethink the idiocy that passes for the US foreign policy.
page: 1
George BSep 2nd, 2008 - 07:42:54
Hasn't Medvedev just remind you about remembering where you getting your oil supplies from??? Just keep talking and you'll be buying the US expensive one!
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