LUXEMBOURG, Oct 17: The European Union issued unusually strong criticism of Russia over its treatment of neighbouring Georgia on Tuesday, three days ahead of a sensitive EU summit with President Vladimir Putin.

The tough line was agreed at EU talks only after Scandinavian and formerly communist states saw off a bid by some West European states led by France — which see Russia as a key partner and energy supplier — to tone the criticism down.

In its statement, the EU urged Russia to stop harassing Georgians on its soil and condemned Moscow’s blockade of the former Soviet republic in a dispute sparked by Tbilisi’s brief detention of four Russian army officers on spying charges.

“The (EU) Council expresses its grave concern at the measures adopted by the Russian Federation against Georgia and at their economic, political and humanitarian consequences,” it said after EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg.

Enraged by last month’s detentions, Moscow has cut transport and postal links with the small Caucasus nation, stopped issuing visas and imposed restrictions on Georgians in Russia.

Political experts say Russia has been angered by Tbilisi’s moves towards closer ties with the EU and NATO. Many hawkish Russian politicians view the Caucasus as a vulnerable region where Moscow’s influence is waning.

“The main thing (at the summit) is people will be looking to tone the temperature down and for a peaceful resolution ... but also for a respect for Georgia’s territorial integrity,” British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told reporters.

Czech Foreign Minister Alexandr Vondra said: “The source of instability is not Georgia or Georgian hotheads. We invite Russia to calm the situation inside the Russian Federation.”

The EU criticism will set the tone for dinner talks between bloc leaders and Putin at Friday’s summit in Finland.

“The fact that we have a relationship in one area, be it energy ... does not mean that we are not going to speak up on these particular issues, on democracy issues,” Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said.—Reuters