Brussels - The European Union is to re-start talks on a strategic treaty with Russia which it froze after Russia's August war with Georgia, EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels agreed Monday according to diplomatic sources.

EU leaders had frozen talks in protest at Russia's occupation of Georgia, demanding that it pull its troops back to pre-conflict lines. Russia has since made a partial but incomplete withdrawal.

EU leaders are set to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a summit in the French resort of Nice on Friday. (dpa)