Riga- Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, speaking in the Latvian capital Riga on Wednesday, said the European Union might need the Nord Stream gas pipeline planned to run under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with his Latvian counterpart, Maris Riekstins, Stubb said Europe needed an energy mix including gas, nuclear and other options to ensure supplies.

Stubb referred to a variety of pipeline projects designed to deliver energy supplies to Europe from Russia and the Middle East.

Helsinki/Vienna - Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, current chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said Tuesday that Russia "violates fundamental OSCE principles" by recognizing two Georgian separatist regions.

Condemning Moscow's decision to accept the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Stubb said "Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia."

A special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council has been called for Wednesday, a spokesperson of the Vienna-based organization said.

Stubb also called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia immediately, and to implement the ceasefire.

Helsinki - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has received information that Russian forces have begun to withdraw from Georgia, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb

Helsinki - Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb is slated to travel to Georgia on Thursday, the Finnish Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Finland currently holds the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that was slated to deploy more military observers in Georgia and near the breakway region of South Ossetia.

Stubb is due to meet with President Mikheil Saakashvili, the OSCE mission and also to discuss humanitarian needs in the region.