“Relations between the EU and Russia have reached a crossroads.”

At an extraordinary meeting in Brussels on Monday, Sep. 1, the European Council considered the European Union’s (EU) response to the Russian-Georgian conflict and Russia’s subsequent recognition of parts of Georgia as independent states.

The European Council consists of the 27 heads of the EU member states. France currently holds the rotating presidency. French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, called the first emergency summit since 2003 to find a united response to the conflicts in the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In a strongly worded communiqué, The European Council said it was “greatly concerned by the open conflict which has broken out in Georgia, by the resulting violence and by the disproportionate reaction of Russia.” It stated that, “military action of this kind is not a solution and is not acceptable.”

The Council strongly condemned Russia’s, “unilateral decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” It called on other states, “not to recognize this proclaimed independence.” So far, only Russia has formally recognized Abkhazian and South Ossetia independence.

The EU nations often have trouble combining their divergent national interests. It is a mark of the depth of concern with Russian actions in Georgia they have managed now.

The Council committed itself to, “support every effort to secure a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia.” It has pledged to send around 200 monitors to Georgia, is backing a donors’ conference with 110 million Euros (US$160 million) in reconstruction aid and is offering a free trade area for Georgia and fewer travel restrictions on its citizens.

The Council statement notes, “Relations between the EU and Russia have reached a crossroads.” It intends to, “conduct a careful in-depth examination of the situation and of the various aspects of EU-Russia relations.”

After the meeting, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU could not, “continue as if nothing had happened.” The EU has postponed talks with Russia on a new partnership deal until Russia abides by the conditions it agreed to in the cease-fire brokered by Sarkozy in August.

Russia’s ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, said that by delaying the talks, the EU was missing an opportunity. Saying, “We don’t need these talks or this new agreement any more than the EU does.”

Georgian Prime Minister, Lado Gurgenidze, expressed Georgian gratitude, “for the solidarity of the EU.”

Sarkozy said that Russia has to decide what kind of relationship with the EU it wants. Asking, “Does it want confidence and co-operation, or does it want distrust and an increasing tension?” Observing that you need two to have a partnership, Sarkozy said that, “the EU would welcome a real partnership with Russia, which is in the interest of all.”

President Sarkozy, European Commission President Barroso and EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana will go to Moscow and the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on Sep. 8.

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