Russia not in favour of worsening relations with West over Ossetia

Moscow, Aug 15 (UNI) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today said Russia did not want its relations with the West to get worsen over the recent events in South Ossetia.

"Certainly, we would not like either long-term or short-term worsening of our relations with the West.'' ''On the contrary, we have always been proceeding from the need of full-scale development of relations with the European Union or individual states of the European Union, or the United States," he said in a televised joint press conference after talks with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Substantial worsening of relations "would only play into the hands of the most reactionary forces," the Russian President said, adding,'' We believe common sense on this issue should prevail.'' On her part, Ms Merkel said Russia's actions against Georgia was ''disproportionate'' and voiced hope for the speedy beginning of a settlement on the basis of agreed principles.

''Even considering Russia's description of the situation, I still say that I found Russia's reaction disproportionate," she said.

The German Chancellor said,''She finds the Russian military presence in Georgia wrong.'' ''Therefore the implementation of the six-piont plan must start urgently so that Russian troops would leave the territory of Georgia,'' she said.

Stressing that progress has been made in this respect, Ms Merkel said, ''I hope all sides will sign the plan. I was satisfied to hear that in the opinion of the Russian side, the plan is a good foundation.'' UNI XC GT BST2229