News

During an extraordinary session of European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 August in Brussels, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas and heads of diplomacy of the European Union countries discussed issues of managing the conflict in Georgia.

The EU heads of diplomacy named the parties in conflict: Russia and Georgia. In the conclusions of the Council, it is indicated that the conflict should be solved in conformity with the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as is set out in the documents of the United Nations and other international organisations.

An international mechanism should also be created to aid the conflict management immediately. It is highlighted that the EU will address the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and will announce that it is ready to assist and to take part in the conflict management.

‘Without arguing about who has provoked who, there is no justification for Russia’s actions and its disproportionate use of force in response. Moscow has invaded a neighbouring country in an unlawful act of aggression that violates the U.N. Charter and fundamental principles of cooperation and security in Europe,’ indicated Minister P.Vaitiekūnas during the session of the Council.

Minister P.Vaitiekūnas also stressed that Russia’s aggression would have negative consequences for the EU – Russia relations.

The EU heads of diplomacy decided to consider further consequences of this conflict for the EU – Russia relations and available EU leverage on Russia to have it respect its international accords during the informal meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in September.

In the conclusions, the significance of the EU miscellaneous humanitarian assistance to Georgia is also stressed. The French EU Presidency and the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana are obligated to report on the provided assistance.