Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, said that on Monday she had substantive and productive discussions with the EU foreign ministers and that most of the EU members supported the resumption of the talks with Russia on a new partnership and cooperation pact. A mutually acceptable date is to be negotiated now, Ferrero-Waldner told Interfax ahead of a Russia-EU summit in Nice, France.
But she made a point that further talks do not mean the European Union recognizes the status quo in Georgia. The violation of Georgia's territorial integrity by Russia and the unilateral recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are unacceptable, she said, adding that Georgia's territorial integrity must be restored.
The conflict that broke out in the summer cast a shadow on Russia- EU relations, she went on to say. Nevertheless, all channels must be kept open for contacts, she said. Russia and the EU have very many common interests, so the resumption of the talks on a new agreement will be very useful for both parties, Ferrero-Waldner said.
The EU and Russia must both constructively assist the Geneva process and its important mission to restore stability and security in the region and to facilitate the return of displaced persons and refugees, she said.
Please see the www.interfax.ru website or the newspaper Noviye Izvestia on November 14 to read the interview in full.
(c) 2008 Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.