NATO special session yields frigid Russian ties

RIGA- Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in a special session of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. The alliance discussed the current situation in Georgia, and exchanged opinions regarding the assessment of further relations between NATO and Russia, and also on future co-operation between NATO and Georgia.

During the meeting, NATO foreign ministers were unanimous that the solution to the conflict in Georgia must be based on full respect for the principles of Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity recognized by international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

The ministers agreed to task the North Atlantic Council in Permanent Session
to develop with Georgia a NATO-Georgia Commission, which would supervise the
process set in hand at Bucharest in relation to Georgia's integration into the Transatlantic Alliance, including the measures of support agreed by the ministers at the meeting.

In the concluding statement, the foreign ministers call upon Russia to take immediate action to withdraw its troops from the territory of Georgia under the six-principle agreement signed by President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia and President Dmitrij Medvedev of Russia.

One of the key issues of debate at the meeting was the implications of Russia's actions for the future relationship of NATO and Russia.  The ministers were in agreement that the relations between NATO and Russia must be revised. "We have determined that we cannot continue with business as usual.  We call on Moscow to demonstrate - both in word and deed - its continued commitment to the principles upon which we agreed to base our relationship," declared the foreign ministers of all NATO member countries.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins has pointed out that the concluding statement sends a strong signal to Russia and reaffirms intensive NATO support for Georgia. Mr Riekstins emphasized that the military conflict has not changed the decision taken in Bucharest with regard to Georgia's transatlantic integration.

 
Norway announced today that Moscow had informed them that they were planning to stop all dealing with NATO and with alliance states, although Russian ambassador to NATO has down-played the message saying it is a temporary decision.