EU Wants ‘Russia’s More Constructive Role’ on Georgia

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on June 1 after EU-Russia Summit in Rostov-on-Don that Russia should be “more constructive” in implementing its commitments in respect of Georgia.

“EU and Russia share common interest in improving security, stability and prosperity in our common neighborhood,” he said in opening remarks at a joint news conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

“In this respect we would like to see more constructive role played by Russia, including in implementation of earlier commitments especially with regard to Georgia,” Van Rompuy added.

Van Rompuy, who said that human rights situation in Russia was of “grave concern”, also added that Moscow was EU’s “real strategic partner”. He said: “With Russia we do not need reset, we need fast forward.”

In a separate development related to EU-Georgia relations, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on May 31 that European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherin Ashton, proposed scrapping the posts of EU Special Representatives for the South Caucasus and Moldova, downgrading the bloc’s diplomatic presence in the regions.

EU’s Special Representative for South Caucasus is Swedish diplomat, Peter Semneby, who was appointed on the post in February 2006.

This February the Council of European Union extended Semneby’s mandate until August 31, 2010. It, however, also decided that the mandate might be terminated earlier upon a recommendation of foreign policy chief, Catherin Ashton, following the entry into force of the decision establishing the European External Action Service.

Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Giga Bokeria, said that Tbilisi had a fruitful cooperation with the EU Special Representative, who spends most of his time in the region.

“We highly appreciate the work done by Peter Semneby and his representation as positive and fruitful on issues, which are important for the country and we hope this work will continue,” Bokeria told Civil.Ge on June 1.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)