(Implementation of the Plan of August 12 2008)

Tbilisi, 9 September 2008

The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission reaffirm firm condemnation by the European Union of Russia’s unilateral decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They confirm that the EU remains committed to supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders as wells as its sovereignty and independence.

The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission confirm their commitment to full implementation of the six-point plan agreed in Moscow and Tbilisi on August 12, 2008.

The President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission confirm commitment of the European Union to the return of all refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

They confirm that The European Union expresses to deploy observers on the entire territory of Georgia.

Nicolas Sarkozy. Jose Manuel Barrozo

To His Excellency Mikheil Saakashvili

President of Georgia

Implementation of the Plan of 12 August 2008

All sides reaffirm their commitment to fully implement all points of the Medvedev-Sarkozy’s plan of August 12, 2008 consisting of 6 points.

1. Withdraw of forces

Russian peacekeeping forces shall be withdrawn from five observation points on the Poti-Senaki line within at least 7 days, in view of the legally binding documents signed on September 8, ensuring non use of force against Abkhazia.

Russian peacekeeping forces shall be fully withdrawn from the zones adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia to the line preceding the start of hostilities. This withdrawal will be implemented within 10 days after the deployment in these zones of international mechanisms, including not less than 200 observers from the European Union, which must take place not later than 1 October 2008, in view of legally binding documents guaranteeing non-use of force against Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgian Armed Forces will be withdrawn to their deployment positions starting from today to October 1, 2008.

2. International monitoring mechanisms

International observers of UNOMIG shall continue fulfilling their mandate in their responsibility zones in view of their number and positioning scheme as of 7 August 2008, which does not exclude the possibility of amendments in case of decisions made by the UN Security Council.

OSCE International Observers shall continue fulfilling their mandate in their responsibility zones in view of their number and positioning scheme as of 7 August 2008, which does not exclude the possibility of amendments in case of decisions made by the OSCE Permanent Council.

Preparatory measures should be speeded up to permit deployment of additional observers, including not less than 200 observers from the European Union, in zones adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in numbers sufficient to substitute for the Russian peacekeeping forces, starting from today to 1 October 2008.

The European Union as a guarantor of the principle of non-use of force, actively makes preparations for the deployment of an observation mission in addition to the existing monitoring mechanisms.

3. International Discussions

The international talks provided for in point 6 of the Medvedev-Sarcozy Plan of 12 August 2008 will start on 15 October 2008 in Geneva. Preliminary talks will start in September.

They will, in particular, concern:

- ways to provide for security and stability in the region;

- the issue of refugees and displaced persons on the basis of principles internationally recognized and practically applied, after conflict settlement;

- any other subject as agreed by the parties.

(Archive of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ Translation from French)