” “The European Parliament invites the EU institutions to "change their policies for Russia" if Moscow "fails to fulfil the commitments undertaken with the ceasefire agreement" in the Caucasus and therefore supports "the decision of the European Council to postpone negotiations for the partnership agreement until the Russian troops retreat". The Brussels Parliament passed (549 votes for, 68 votes against and 61 abstentions) a joint resolution, submitted by most political groups, which describes the events that have taken place since last August. The resolution "condemns Russia’s unacceptable, disproportionate military action", including the initial "provocations by the separatist forces of Southern Ossetia", and the resulting "attack" by the Georgian army against the autonomist provinces. Overall, however, the resolution mostly tends to highlight the Russian responsibilities and folows the conclusions of the EU summit of September 1st regarding a negotiated, non-military solution to the problem; it insists on the need to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; it deems it necessary to aid the populations affected by the conflict; it insists on concern for the regional extent of the conflict.
