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News item | 20-08-2008
NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels have said that the conflict between Russia and Georgia must be resolved in a manner that respects Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
'The ceasefire brokered by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe is an important first step,' said Dutch foreign minister Maxime Verhagen after the meeting. 'The ceasefire now needs to be implemented on the ground.'
This means that troops must withdraw to the positions they held before the conflict began, that international observers are allowed into the area and that victims of the fighting receive the humanitarian aid they need.
Mr Verhagen stated that Russia's disproportionate use of force will affect its relationship with NATO. 'Our future relations depend on what Russia says and does,' he said. The Netherlands and its NATO allies are keeping the door open for future dialogue with Russia.
NATO decided to set up a committee with Georgia to assess the damage caused by the fighting and to help rebuild the infrastructure.