Vanhanen: Strong support for Georgia but no sanctions against Russia

No extra seats for Finland at EU summit, and no invitation for OSCE

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Finland is ready for a rapid increase in the role of the European Union in Georgia and in other areas of the Caucasus that have been hit by instability, said Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) on Friday.
     On the other hand, Finland is not in favour of sanctions against Russia in response to the war in Georgia and to Russia’s recognition of the independence of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhasia.
     At a press conference, Vanhanen reiterated the positions taken by the government and the President in advance of the extraordinary summit meeting of the EU today, Monday.
     “The EU must discuss giving significant input into stabilising the situation in the whole Caucasus region.”
     Vanhanen repeated the view taken by the government’s foreign and security policy committee that the EU needs to develop its relations with Georgia, and especially with Ukraine. Both countries want to join NATO and the EU.
     Support for Georgia and the EU’s eastern border regions has taken centre stage in internal debate within the EU, now that support for sanctions against Russia is far from unanimous among EU member states. The NATO alliance reached a similar conclusion already last week.
     
The idea is not a new one. Soon after hostilities broke out between Georgia and Russia, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said that the war might have been averted if the EU would have had more solid ties with Georgia.
     Vanhanen did not specify on Friday what kind of a presence might be involved. One proposal that has been brought up at a meeting of the the EU’s political security committee is for a rapid deployment of peacekeeping forces to Georgia, but agreement was reached mainly about civilian observers.
     “This can mean civil servants or monitors: above all, a diplomatic presence”, Vanhanen said.
     In his view, no country has even officially proposed sanctions against Russia in connection with the summit.
     The communique of the government’s ministerial committee on EU affairs mentions the Baltic Countries, Poland, Britain and Sweden as countries demanding tough action.
     In the absence of sanctions, Vanhanen believes that the message to Russia will get through when the EU “makes it quite clear how things are, and speaks plainly”.
     
The role of the Foreign Minister at the summit remained somewhat vague on Friday. No additional seats or extra invitations for the OSCE had come, Vanhanen said.
     In his view, the presence of Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party), who took part in the peace talks, is important when discussions concern Georgia. President Tarja Halonen is to be present when the agenda is related to matters concerning her authority.
      According to Vanhanen, the four issues for the summit are the delivery of humanitarian aid to Georgia, the implementation of a cease fire agreement, the presence of the EU in the area, and the relations between the EU and Russia.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Vanhanen: South Ossetia crisis will affect next national defence report (19.8.2008)
  Foreign Minister Stubb ready for "hallway work" at EU summit (29.8.2008)
  President Halonen to replace Foreign Minister Stubb at EU summit (28.8.2008)
  Vanhanen and Stubb criticise Russian military action in Georgia (26.8.2008)

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