Russia Europeans concerned over Moscow’s Georgian policy 27/08/08 10:35 CET

“Very dangerous” is how French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner has described Moscow’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence. And, in a radio interview, he warned Moscow could have other territorial objectives such as the Crimea, Ukraine and Moldova. Kouchner said he hoped there would be no confrontation with Russia over the breakaway Georgian regions.

The European Commission also spoke out over South Ossetia and Abkhazia. EU spokesman Peter Power said: “The European Commission joins with the French Presidency in strongly condemning the decision by the Russian authorities to recognise the independence of these two regions. The move is contrary to the principles of Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. And this territorial integrity is something to which the European Union is strongly attached.

EU leaders are due to hold an emergency summit next Monday on the crisis. Before that, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will talk to Russia’s leaders to stress Europe’s concerns.