Cowen to attend EU talks on Georgia crisis
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin will attend an extraordinary European Council in Brussels today to discuss the ongoing crisis in Georgia.
Heads of state from EU members are expected to focus on the recognition of independence of the breakaway Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia.
The humanitarian situation, the Union’s efforts to support a peaceful and lasting settlement – including the question of sending a monitoring mission – as well as the implications of the crisis on future EU/Russia relations will also be discussed.
The controversy deepened yesterday after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced Russia will provide military aid to Georgia’s breakaway provinces.
Western states last week united in their condemnation of Russia’s stance in recognising the territories’ independence.
Meanwhile the Department of Foreign Affairs is still advising against all travel to Georgia and the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Officials urged Irish citizens living in Georgia to leave as soon as possible, preferably through the borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“In addition, no Irish citizen should attempt to cross the land border with Russia,” a statement on the Department’s website reads.
“It is recommended that you register with the Irish Embassy in Sofia if you are travelling to Georgia.”
