Top Nato officials have arrived in the Georgian capital Tbilisi to express support for the country following its short war with Russia.
Top Nato officials have arrived in the Georgian capital Tbilisi to express support for the country following its short war with Russia.
Nato's chief said the deal that allowed Russia to keep forces in Georgia's breakaway regions was "not acceptable".
Nato's chief said the deal that allowed Russia to keep forces in Georgia's breakaway regions was "not acceptable".
However, the first meeting of the Nato-Georgia Commission is unlikely to lead to any firm commitment on Georgian membership, correspondents say.
However, the first meeting of the Nato-Georgia Commission is unlikely to lead to any firm commitment on Georgian membership, correspondents say.
Meanwhile, the EU announced 500m euros in aid to help Georgia's recovery.
Meanwhile, the EU announced 500m euros in aid to help Georgia's recovery.
European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the funds would go to assisting internally displaced people, post-conflict rehabilitation and economic recovery, and towards new infrastructure.
European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the funds would go to assisting internally displaced people, post-conflict rehabilitation and economic recovery, and towards new infrastructure.
Let me say that [this ceasefire deal] is difficult to swallow Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary-general
Let me say that [this ceasefire deal] is difficult to swallow Jaap de Hoop SchefferNato secretary-general
In Brussels, European Union foreign ministers were set to clear the way for at least 200 ceasefire monitors to deploy to buffer zones around South Ossetia and Abkhazia, ahead of an expected Russian troop withdrawal by 10 October.
In Brussels, European Union foreign ministers were set to clear the way for at least 200 ceasefire monitors to deploy to buffer zones around South Ossetia and Abkhazia, ahead of an expected Russian troop withdrawal by 10 October.
It is unclear whether the monitors will actually be allowed to enter the breakaway regions, which are full of Russian troops.
It is unclear whether the monitors will actually be allowed to enter the breakaway regions, which are full of Russian troops.
Russia has recognised the two regions' independence, and President Dmitry Medvedev said he would sign agreements this week formalising diplomatic relations and establishing military links.
Russia has recognised the two regions' independence, and President Dmitry Medvedev said he would sign agreements this week formalising diplomatic relations and establishing military links.
Moscow has already announced that it intends to base 3,800 troops in each of the two regions.
Moscow has already announced that it intends to base 3,800 troops in each of the two regions.
Division in Nato
Division in Nato
But Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer criticised the EU-brokered ceasefire deal that allowed Russian forces to remain in the breakaway regions.
But Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer criticised the EU-brokered ceasefire deal that allowed Russian forces to remain in the breakaway regions.
"Let me say that that is difficult to swallow," he told the Financial Times.
"Let me say that that is difficult to swallow," he told the Financial Times.
The EU has offered money to help displaced people
The EU has offered money to help displaced people
He said the terms contradicted an earlier six-point plan that called for both sides to revert to the status quo before the fighting began.
He said the terms contradicted an earlier six-point plan that called for both sides to revert to the status quo before the fighting began.
"If the Russians are staying in South Ossetia with so many forces, I do not consider this as a return to the status quo," he said.
"If the Russians are staying in South Ossetia with so many forces, I do not consider this as a return to the status quo," he said.
"The option of keeping Russian forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not acceptable."
"The option of keeping Russian forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia is not acceptable."
He also said he did not foresee an early resumption of Nato's regular meetings with Russia, which were suspended after the South Ossetia conflict, as long as Russian troops remained on what Nato sees as Georgian territory.
He also said he did not foresee an early resumption of Nato's regular meetings with Russia, which were suspended after the South Ossetia conflict, as long as Russian troops remained on what Nato sees as Georgian territory.
However, Nato's 26 ambassadors meeting Georgian officials in Tbilisi are divided over offering Georgia a clear route to membership, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
However, Nato's 26 ambassadors meeting Georgian officials in Tbilisi are divided over offering Georgia a clear route to membership, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
While they are keen to offer Georgia fulsome support, he says, Nato rules say that ethnic disputes or external territorial disputes must be resolved before membership can be offered.
While they are keen to offer Georgia fulsome support, he says, Nato rules say that ethnic disputes or external territorial disputes must be resolved before membership can be offered.
The conflict in the region began on 7 August when Georgia tried to retake South Ossetia by force after a series of lower-level clashes.
The conflict in the region began on 7 August when Georgia tried to retake South Ossetia by force after a series of lower-level clashes.
Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russia launched a counter-attack and the Georgian troops were ejected from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
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