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Europe must now engage in Georgia, says EP

(B2) Quite extraordinary atmosphere at the improvised meeting of the "Foreign Affairs", "Defence" committees and the "EU-Caucasus" delegation of the European Parliament, on August 20. The "little" room at the end of the corridor on the 3rd floor was full of deputies (not always so diligent when it comes to ordinary sittings), many of whom had come especially for the occasion. Held in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the session was above all an opportunity for everyone to share their feelings, which can be classified into three categories:

- ensure the solidarity of Europeans with Georgians in the face of Russian aggression which brought back bad memories to everyone, to be alarmed by the situation in Georgia. "You have our full support ma'am. said Christopher Beazley (Conservative EPP, UK) "This crisis should make us open our eyes, our Western colleagues have been too naive with Russia" - Zbigniew Zaleski (Liberal PO-EPP, Poland). We "Let's find an imperialist attitude of Russia" - Jozef Pinior (socialist PES, former leader of Solidarnosc, Poland). "there is a war of nerves which is launched, the Georgian population is exhausted. There is a terror sown on the territory" by the Russians - Marie-Anne Isler Beguin (Greens, France and President of the EP "Caucasus" delegation who was there, see his interview). "You have to understand that Russia does not share our values“added another deputy. "We must act quickly and (...) prevent Georgia from being occupied, like Czechoslovakia in 1968, for 22 years" - Jana Hybásková (EPP-ED, Czech Republic). "Now is not the time to look for all the causes of the conflict. The reaction has been disproportionate. To the Russian side, it must be said that we do not want to revive the cold war. But when an agreement is signed, it must be respected" - Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP-ED, Netherlands).

- underline the role played by Georgia in the outbreak of the crisis. "Saakashvili was really stupid to fall into the trap set for him" said Andrew Duff (Liberal ALDE, UK)."The Georgian government also has a responsibility. Europe must stop paying for the neo-conservatives" (Americans), added Ana Maria Gomes (Socialist PES, Portugal).  "I would like to know what the role of the American advisers is in this conflict. What the hell did your president think to himself when he gave this attack order" wondered Tobias Pflüger (PDS-GUE communist, Germany), turning to the Georgian Minister.

- wonder about theeurope share. "there is a conflict between the right to respect for territorial integrity and the right to self-determination. We must ensure that it is not weapons that win but negotiation" explained Francesco Enrico Speroni (Northern League/UEN, Italy). "I'm surprised that Solana didn't go there. And I wonder: what use is he to us then. Do we need him" exclaimed Katrin Saks (PES, Estonia). "We must praise President Sarkozy's intervention more for its speed than...for its quality." quipped Adam Bielan (Pis-UEN, Poland) criticizing "the absence of any reference to territorial integrity in the ceasefire agreement".

All the deputies have, however, more or less, demanded an imore vigorous intervention by the European Union in the region, like the chairman of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee, the Polish conservative Saryusz-Wolski, calling for the dispatch of an ESDP peacekeeping mission (a Parliament resolution is in preparation), and of the French Verte Isler-Beguin, emphasizing the need to also have on site a "presence of civilian or parliamentary observers".

The presence of the Georgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eka Tkeshelashvili, who was generously applauded, could have been very interesting if she had really answered questions from deputies, in particular on the role played by the Americans. She preferred to focus on the humanitarian situation"catastrophic"and the occupation of his country by the Russians, which continues. "There is no sign of withdrawal of Russian forces, on the contrary, the military presence is becoming a reality, it is even reinforced". She called for a "total overhaul of the format of peacekeeping" and decisive EU action - "let's be frank, the 20 observers from the Osce are not going to change the situation; Russia which has the right of veto (in this organization) has restricted the work of these people". "The intervention of an organization in which Russia is not a party is important. We need help. Hope you can play this role" she concluded.

On the sly, the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, had made, between two sessions, a press briefing, in front of the elevators. What he said is no less important when we listened carefully (because the bugger didn't speak very loudly): "What is important is the ceasefire, the respect of the agreements, the presence strengthened European Union in the region, the strengthening of OSCE observers in the region, thehumanitarian aid". And to add, "we would like the Secretary General and the staff of the High Representative to be reinforced". This confirms in passing the ongoing projects in diplomatic corridors which we heard about. "The EU is an actor and must remain an actor" he concluded.

(NGV)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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