EU CAUCASUS SUMMIT CRITICIZES RUSSIA BUT WITHOUT SANCTIONS

DDP News Agency
Sept 1 2008
Germany

Brussels: This was an EU summit consisting of worried statements. On
Monday [1 September], the European Union sharply criticized Russia’s
recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, condemned the deployment of
Russian troops on Georgian core territory as "breaching international
law" and offered Georgia the establishment of a free-trade zone. Yet
the s-word, sanctions, was not uttered. "The result is a good
compromise. All sides have made concessions," EU observers pointed
out after the crisis summit in Brussels.

Participants in the summit held in the Belgian capital grappled for
hours with finding a wording that demonstrated the determination of the
27 EU member states to the outside world but would not cut the "thread
of dialogue" with Moscow. After all, notwithstanding all outrage in
the European Union about Russia’s infringement of international law,
the country continues to be Europe’s "strategic partner" on important
international issues. "We need Russia’s cooperation," was an often
repeated view at the EU summit.

Earlier, the Russian government had already made its own attitude
very clear, urging both EU and NATO to take a "balanced approach"
in view of the independence of Kosovo. Although for the EU leniency
is out of the question, sanctions were suddenly no longer an issue,
which Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Baltic states
had initially demanded.

There are several punitive measures conceivable, not only the
suspension of the EU negotiations on a partnership and cooperation
agreement with Moscow. Yet EU diplomats point to the downside of such
a move. Such an agreement, if it finally materialized, could lay down
Russia’s role as Europe’s "reliable energy supplier". The EU has a
great interest that it takes on that role, because it gets 42 per cent
of its gas supplies and 33 per cent of its oil imports from Russia.

As a result, a condition that could swiftly be met and save Russia’s
face was set – withdrawal from all the regions and no mention
of security zones. Then, the negotiations could continue. German
Chancellor Angela Merkel (Christian Democratic Union) preferred to
speak about a "deferral" of the talks in a "foreseeable" timeframe.

The next escalation stages would be a blockade of Russia’s membership
in the World Trade Organization or even an exclusion from the ranks
of the leading industrial nations, the G8. Yet experts on Russia rule
that option out completely. The West depended too much on Moscow’s
participation in resolving explosive international issues such as the
Iranian nuclear conflict or the Middle East. In addition, severing
ties with Russia meant, in the final analysis, to increase the West’s
dependence on Iranian oil, for example.

Observers in Brussels, therefore, speak of a "balancing act" – voicing
unanimous criticism of Russia, proposing to Georgia economic and moral
support, as well as specific assistance to calm the tense situation,
while offering Russia talks at the same time. "We managed to reach
agreement – and not only by finding the lowest common denominator."

Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the EU Parliament, looks ahead into
the future. The EU was now able to "accept greater responsibility in
the region", extending its partnership relations with countries such as
Armenia and Azerbaijan, and aiming to set up a "European economic area
plus" – including a free-trade zone reaching down to Georgia. That,
Poettering said, required continuing the "dialogue" with Russia –
"We must not slam the door shut."