TALLINN, Sep 05, BNS - The European Union is not ruling out the possibility that it might send its peacekeepers to Georgia under certain conditions, the chairman of the EU Military Committee, Gen. Henri Bentegeat, said in Tallinn.
Gen. Bentegeat told reporters on Friday that the EU wishes to find a lasting solution in Georgia, relying on the mechanisms of the United Nations or the EU.
The EU wants Russia to pull back its forces to the pre-conflict positions, he said.
The EU is ready to adopt a decision in mid-September on sending a civilian mission with an extensive mandate to Georgia. "The European Union is prepared to do more on the ground in Georgia," Gen. Bentegeat said.
The EU also may adopt a decision to send its peacekeepers to Georgia, said the general, explaining that this depends on a number of conditions.
He observed that every time the EU or NATO are planning the launch of new operations or extending of ongoing operations, the question about resources comes up.
But if the need arises to send troops to some conflict region, including to a region of a so-called frozen conflict, resources will always be found, the general said, recalling that in the case of the conflict in Lebanon 2,500 soldiers were deployed in a short period of time.
"EU reacts to crises everywhere," he said, observing that the EU was active militarily in Europe and in Africa.
Gen. Bentegeat met on Thursday with the commander of the Estonian defense forces, Lt. Gen. Ants Laaneots, Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo and President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. His agenda also included visits to the Estonian army training center at Tapa and the center of excellence in cyber defense.
On Friday he will meet with the chairman of the Estonian parliament's foreign affairs committee, Sven Mikser.
Gen. Bentegeat serves as chairman of the EU Military Committee since November 2006.
The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the highest military body set up within the EU. It is composed of the chiefs of defense of the member states, who are regularly represented by their permanent military representatives. The EUMC provides the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EU, and heads the EU's military headquarters.
Tallinn newsroom, +372 610 8814, sise@bns.ee
