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News item | 03-09-2008
Following the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 1 September 2008, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende praised the EU's united response to the conflict between Russia and Georgia.
The leaders of the 27 member states have presented a common front.
The European Council expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in
Georgia and denounced Russia's recognition of the two Georgian break-away
regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
According to Prime Minister Balkenende, the EU has sent 'a clear signal' to
Russia that it must keep its agreements but also expressed its intention to
continue investing in cooperation. 'All the countries of Europe have a
significant interest in working with Russia, but they also value certain
principles of democracy and international law'.
The EU member states want to see the six-point plan, mediated by the
French EU Presidency on 12 August 2008, implemented in full. The plan
includes a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces.
The EU member states are suspending further negotiation on a new general
agreement with Russia until Russian troops have withdrawn to their original
positions before the hostilities began.