Saakashvili Calls on EU to Play ‘Decisive’ Role in Peace Process

President Saakashvili accused Russia, on September 28, of backing the secessionist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and called on Moscow for intensive negotiations in an attempt to find a mutually acceptable mechanism for cooperation which will prevent problems in bilateral relations. Saakashvili also called on the European Union for more active involvement in the process of peacefully resolving the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts.

Mikheil Saakashvili was speaking at a joint news conference with his visiting Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen in Tbilisi.

“The main question Russia has to put itself is where does its border end? I can say that what Russia is doing in Abkhazia and South Ossetia has all the elements of violating international law,” Saakashvili said.

He said that Georgia is determined to solve these conflicts peacefully and needs to develop its economy for this purpose.
 
“Georgia now needs economic development. We build roads, schools, hospitals… and Georgia does not need turmoil now – this is absolutely clear for us… I want to say once again that the direct involvement of the United States [in the process of resolving these conflicts] is very important. I hope that through the process of consultations with Russia we will be able to find a mechanism which will rule out any problems. But for this reason we should all respect each other,” he added.

Saakashvili said that involvement of the European Union in the peace process “is absolutely decisive.” “Europe should be very active,” Saakashvili added.

“I absolutely agree with the President [Saakashvili] that a peaceful settlement is the most sustainable solution for the disputes,” Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland said at a news conference.

She said that Finnish diplomat Heikki Talvitie, who is the European Union’s Special Representative to the South Caucasus, has been following the peace process in Abkhazia and South Ossetia very closely.

Tarja Halonen, who arrived in Tbilisi for a two-day official visit on September 28, will also meet Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze and Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli.

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