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Mikhail Saakashvili rejects one of six principles agreed by French and Russian presidents

13 August 2008 08:19 (UTC +04:00)

APA reports quoting Russian news agencies that though Georgian President signed the document on ensuring ceasefire, he did not accept one of the six principles agreed by Nicolas Sarkozy and Dmitry Medvedev on the settlement of Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflicts. On Georgiaâ€™s request, the point on initiating international discussions for determining the future status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia has been removed from document. Saakashvili said the point has been removed, since it caused various interpretations. Nicolas Sarkozy also said that the point had been removed with Medvedevâ€™s consent. He said the main thing was that agreement had been reached to cease all kind of military activities.

The principles agreed by Georgia and Russia with the mediation of France will be discussed at the emergency meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Paris today. Latvia intends to raise an issue on changing the format of peacekeeping mission in South Ossetia. Foreign Minister of Latvia Maris Riekstins said that the contingent called â€œRussian peacekeepersâ€ were not accepted as peacekeepers. The minister considers that further development of the relations between EU countries and Russia should also be reviewed.
â€œIt would be hardly possible to behave as if nothing had happened,â€ he said.