The Council held an exchange of views on the situation in Chechnya.
Winding up its debate, the Council confirmed with regard to the Interim
Agreement between the European Union and the Russian
Federation the four criteria set by the Union in
connection with Chechnya:
a permanent OSCE presence, a cease-fire, the start of talks for a political
settlement and access for humanitarian aid. It considered that the above
criteria had not been met and therefore that positive signals should be
awaited from Moscow
that would enable the Interim Agreement to be signed as soon as possible. It
reiterated its willingness to sign the Interim Agreement depending on
progress towards the above objectives.