European Union (EU) leaders began their emergency summit here on Monday to mull reaction to the Georgia crisis and find a compromise on the bloc's relations with Russia.
The leaders, who are expected to show support for Georgia, will be unlikely to agree on sanctions against Russia.
"I do not want any sanctions because we are economically interdependent with the Russians -- Russians need our market, we need the Russian market," Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb told reporters ahead of the summit.
But he indicated that the EU could come up with a strong-worded statement against Moscow.
"That (No sanction) does not mean that we should stay away from tough language," he said.
EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner also indicated that there would not be sanctions against Russia.
"What we should do is to have a crystal clear, but at the same time rational, realistic and balanced approach (to Russia)," she told reporters.
The commissioner admitted that the EU is having a difficult moment with Russia. "With Russia, it certainly cannot be business as usual," she said.
Still, the EU will show solidarity with Georgia, she said.
"We have to show to Georgia that we really support their territorial integrity and also to do more for their economy," she said.
European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering said the EU wants to cooperate with Russia, but only on certain principles.
Reaction to the Georgia crisis from certain EU countries, such as Britain, Sweden and several Eastern European countries, was stronger than others. But even those countries who initially spoke toughly have now realized that sanctions against Russia are not realistic as the EU is highly dependent on Russia's energy supply. The EU also needs Moscow's cooperation on international issues, such as Iran's nuclear program.
Earlier this month, Georgia sent in troops to reclaim South Ossetia, its breakaway region, triggering a military counter-offensive by Russia. The conflict ended with a cease-fire agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow brokered by France.
Russia last week recognized South Ossetia and another breakaway region of Abkhazia as independent states, a move that angered the West.
In a draft statement prepared for the summit obtained by Xinhua, there was no mention of sanctions against Russia.
"The Georgia crisis puts the relations between the EU and Russia on a cross-roads," reads the draft document.
But it stresses that there is no alternative to a strong relationship between the two sides given interdependence and global problems they face.
The leaders, however, would condemn Russia for its recognition of independence of the two regions.
"The European Council (EU leaders) firmly condemns the unilateral decision of Russia to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia," reads the document.
"This decision is unacceptable and the European Council calls on other countries not to recognize the proclaimed independence," it adds.
Source:Xinhua
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