PM to join EU Georgia talks

PM to join EU Georgia talks

Russian tanks in operations against Georgian forces during the conflict in South Ossetia in August 2008; Reuters copyrightGordon Brown is to attend an emergency session of the EU Council scheduled for Monday to discuss the conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels for the special session that has been called by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. France currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU.

Writing in the Observer, Mr Brown said that he had spoken to President Medvedev of Russia. He issued a warning that Moscow should expect a determined response to the “naked aggression” of Russia’s military operations in Georgia.

Read the article on the Observer website (new window)

Europe must avoid sleepwalking into relying on states like Russia for energy, he added.

“Tomorrow’s summit must add urgency to the work on Europe’s energy agenda.

“We must more rapidly build relationships with other producers of oil and gas. Our response must include a redoubling of our efforts to complete a single market in gas and electricity, a collective defence to secure our energy supplies.”

Russian and Georgian troops clashed recently over the two regions which seek autonomy from Georgia. Russian has since declared formal recognition of the independence of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

ENDS

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