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EU to discuss Georgia, ties with Russia at extraordinary summit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-01 19:38

BRUSSELS - Leaders of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) will meet here later on Monday for an extraordinary summit on Georgia and the bloc's ties with Russia.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana holds a news conference after a meeting with Georgia's Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze in Brussels September 1, 2008. [Agencies]

The EU leaders are expected to reiterate their condemnation of Russia's actions because of its recognition of independence for Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

They are also expected to send a "clear message" of support for Georgia by pledging aid for reconstruction and a free trade agreement and an easier visa regime for Georgians.

The summit is not likely to unveil plans for sanctions against Russia, although some states, including Poland and other Eastern European EU members, have strongly pushed for it.

Some member states, such as Britain, Poland and Latvia, have pressed for a total reassessment of EU-Russian ties or sanctions against Moscow, while some others, including Germany and France, prefer dialogue with Russia, the EU's major energy supplier and important trading partner.