'European Union stands for continuation of Georgian-Russian dialogue'

The European Union is interested in Georgian-Russian dialogue and stands for its continuation, Georgian State Minister for European Integration Alexi Petriashvili told Georgian journalists following a meeting of the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council on Wednesday.

The 13th annual plenary meeting of the EU-Georgia Cooperation Council was held in Brussels. The head of the Georgian delegation is Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze, the EU delegation - European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule and Foreign Minister of EU-presiding Cyprus Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis.

"European politicians have carefully listened to our report about the first meeting of the special representatives of Georgian Prime Minister and Russian President in Geneva and appreciated the fact of the establishment of such contacts," Petriashvili said.

He stressed that the EU calls on Georgia to continue the negotiation process and try to improve relations with Moscow.

Within the meeting the parties discussed the action plan of the Neighbourhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership initiative, reforms in Georgia, the Georgian-Russian relations, and other topical issues.

Military action was launched in the Georgian region of South Ossetia on Aug.8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied the city of Tskhinvali and drove the Georgian military back. Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in late August of that year.


/Trend/