BRUSSELS - EUROPEAN Union leaders agreed on Monday to boost aid to Georgia and freeze talks on closer ties with Russia over its military action in the former Soviet republic, but decided not to impose sanctions.
The following are the main points of agreement reached at their emergency summit in Brussels:
RUSSIA
The leaders expressed grave concern about the conflict in Georgia and Russia's 'disproportionate reaction' by sending troops there last month.
The EU also 'strongly condemns Russia's unilateral decision to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia' and calls on other countries not to follow suit.
Noting that EU-Russia ties have reached a 'crossroads' over Georgia, the leaders said a 'careful, in-depth investigation' would be conducted into their relations. This will happen by an EU-Russia summit on November 14.
They mandated French President Nicolas Sarkozy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to travel to Moscow to convince Russia to comply with the Georgia peace agreement.
'Until (Russian) troops have withdrawn to the positions held prior to 7 August, meetings on the negotiation of the Partnership Agreement will be postponed.'
GEORGIA
As for Georgia, the leaders decided to supply reconstruction aid, including for the rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Russia recognised last week.
They agreed to ease visa restrictions and look into setting up a 'full and comprehensive' free-trade area, and convene an international donors conference in the near future.
The bloc will send an observer mission to Georgia, perhaps by October, and appoint an EU envoy there.
OTHER ACTION
The EU leaders noted, too, the impact that the conflict has had in the Black Sea region in its entirety, and 'stresses the importance of the
forthcoming summit between the European Union and Ukraine' on September 9.
Senior EU officials have expressed concern that Kiev could be targeted next.
They expressed concern about energy security -Russia is a major supplier of oil and gas to the 27 EU nations - and invited the institutions to examine ways to improve it, 'in particular as regards diversification of energy sources and supply routes'. -- AFP