London
11 August 2008
The European Commission is calling for Russia to halt its military
incursion into Georgia. Tendai Maphosa has the details from London.
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| EU flag outside European Commission's Berlaymont building |
The
European Commission expressed extreme concern about the fighting in
Georgia. Addressing a press briefing in Brussels, Commission
spokeswoman Krisztina Nagy called for Russia to halt its military
action immediately.
"We consider that that the latest
developments such as the crossing of the Georgian borders by Russian
troops changed the dimension of he conflict. We therefore call upon
Russia to stop immediately all military activity on Georgian
territory," she said.
Nagy reiterated support for diplomatic
efforts for an agreement to end hostilities that would respect
Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The European
Commission also announced the release of nearly $1.5 million in what it
described as fast-track aid to help cover the urgent humanitarian needs
of thousands of civilians affected by the fighting.
European
Commission spokesman John Clancy told VOA the fighting has displaced at
least 30,000 civilians and the number is likely to increase. He said
more money for humanitarian assistance would be made available if
needed.
"We are providing through this funding of one million
euros in areas such as basic emergency shelter tents, for example, or
food or water and sanitation, all these issues need to be dealt with
when you have populations on the move," he said.
Clancy called
for the parties involved in the fighting to respect humanitarian law
and to provide safe passage to civilians fleeing from the fighting.
Georgian
forces moved against the breakaway province of South Ossetia last week
in an effort to restore control. The move drew a quick Russian
military response. Georgia has agreed to a cease-fire and accuses the
Russians of continuing to attack Georgian territory.