EU suspend talks on deal with Russia

EU leaders have agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership deal with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia.

The decision was made after an emergency summit in Brussels, which was attended by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The EU also condemned Russia's move to recognise the independence of Georgia's separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Russia claims the suspension of talks damaged the credibility of the European Union.