EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, welcomed Georgia’s non-use of force commitment announced by President Saakashvili in his speech to the European Parliament on November 23.

“I see it as a constructive step and positive contribution to ongoing efforts towards a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict,” Ashton said in a statement on November 25.
 
“In this regard, I underline the importance of the Geneva International Discussions, where the issue of non-use of force is at the centre of the agenda.”

“We are looking forward to further steps, as announced by President Saakashvili in his speech, and stand ready to continue the active engagement of the EU in the conflict resolution efforts in Georgia,” she said.

Saakashvili said in his speech, that he would send a relevant letter of Georgia’s non-use of force pledge to the UN Secretary General, OSCE Secretary General and EU leaders.

French Foreign Minister, Michele Alliot-Marie, also welcomed the Georgian President’s statement and called on all the parties into the Geneva talks to accept this “strong gesture” of peace and to respond with release of all the remaining detained persons and with allowing EU monitors to access breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia.