EU, Russia resume talks

BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The European Union and Russia are set to resume negotiations over a new partnership treaty, officials say.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said it was in the EU's "objective interest" to resume negotiations.

She said the existing treaty is outdated on issues such as energy security, the newspaper reported.

The talks reached a standstill after Russia retaliated against Georgia's crackdown on separatists in its breakaway region of South Ossetia. Russia was to remove its troops from Georgia before the EU-Russia talks were to resume.

Lithuania has said Moscow has not lived up to the commitment.

"Why are we changing our own line on withdrawal of troops and the resumption of talks with Russia?,"

Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Zygimantes Pavilionis told reporters.

"It is not the right timing," he added, saying the EU should not play with values and international commitments. "Is it a Munich of today? Well, we will ask France and the European Commission in years to come. History will show who was right," Pavilionis said.