Sarkozy: EU, Russia need to keep talking

BRUSSELS, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Europe and Russia need to keep talking despite their differences over the Georgia conflict, French President Nicolas Sarkozy says.

Sarkozy, who holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said Tuesday in Brussels that EU-Russian talks on a cooperation and partnership treaty should be resumed even though Russia has yet to fulfill its pledges to withdraw from Georgia as part of a Sarkozy-brokered cease-fire, The EU Observer reported.

"Europe should not be an accomplice in starting another cold war," he told the European Parliament.

Sarkozy's sentiments were seconded by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Europe's commissioner for external relations, who told the Observer the EU and Russia share an "interdependence" on such issues as energy, Iran, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and climate change.

EU foreign ministers are to meet Nov. 10 to discuss reopening negotiations on the proposed Russian cooperation treaty.