EU foreign ministers expressed Tuesday their grave concerns over tensions between Russia and Georgia, in particular Russia's retaliatory measures against its former Soviet ally.
"I have carefully studied it [the statement], and believe that it contains elements about which we may have some questions, Vladimir Chizhov said. "The appeal to both sides to focus their attention on settling the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts looks somewhat odd, as if Russia were a party to the conflict. That is not the case. In its recent resolution on Georgia, the UN Security Council set the record straight."
In a statement following a ministerial meeting of the 25-member alliance, the EU "expressed its grave concern at the measures adopted by the Russian Federation against Georgia, and at their economic, political and humanitarian consequences."
Since four Russian officers were detained in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, for alleged spying in late September and released soon afterwards, Moscow has suspended travel and mail links with the South Caucasus state and deported at least 300 Georgian for violations of immigration laws.
Moscow authorities have also launched a crackdown on businesses allegedly related to the Georgian mafia, which resulted in the closure of a number of gambling outlets and restaurants. Media outlets also report that Moscow police instructed schoolteachers to identify pupils with Georgian surnames in order to check on the legality of their families' residence in Russia.
But the EU said both countries were responsible for the recent spat, and called on them to tone down mutual rhetoric.
"The Georgian leadership should avoid any action that could heighten tensions," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who described Russia as Europe's strategic partner, said the European community will maintain a balance in its contacts with Russia and Georgia. But he promised to raise the issue at an informal energy summit with Russia, Europe's major natural gas and oil supplier, Friday.
