EU advises Georgia to negotiate with Abkhazia and South Ossetia

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, who is arriving in Tbilisi today, advised Georgia to resume dialogue with Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s population, RIA Novosti reported.

She mentioned that EU stays involved in conflicts resolution, and European Union monitoring mission is an important factor for ensuring stability.

Ashton reiterated that the European Union supports Georgia’s territorial integrity “welcoming the position of the authorities to resolve the problems peacefully and diplomatically.”

According to Interfax, Ashton will launch negotiations on Georgia’s associated membership to EU in Batumi. A future agreement on Georgia’s associated membership to EU will replace the current agreement On Cooperation and Partnership, which envisages further expansion of cooperation in primary directions.