BRUSSELS, September 15, 2008 (AFP) - The European Union's new monitoring mission will comprise some 200 observers from around 20 nations, and supervise 'full compliance' with a six-point peace plan 'throughout Georgia.'

The mission, with a headquarters in Tbilisi currently being set up by an exploratory team, will first deploy in buffer zones near Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two Georgian rebel regions recognised by Russia.

Dubbed EU monitoring mission Georgia (EUMM), it is to go into operation on October 1, allowing Russia to withdraw troops by October 10 to positions they held before Moscow's confrontation with Georgian forces began on August 7/8.

In the 'joint action,' adopted by EU foreign ministers Monday, the bloc recalls 'that a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Georgia must be based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity recognised by international law.'

But the monitors, most of whom will come from France, Germany and Poland, will not initially deploy to the regions themselves, where Russia has said it will keep some troops based.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has said the mission will deploy 'in phases,' and 'will be deployed with the spirit that it can deploy everywhere,' including rebel Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The joint action was also accompanied by an 'operation concept' which has been kept secret, but maintains the mission must be 'flexible' and adapt to circumstances on the ground.

The mission's aims are to 'contribute to long-term stability throughout Georgia and the surrounding region,' and 'the stabilisation of the situation' in compliance with the EU-brokered peace plan.

EUMM will have a budget of around 31 million euros (44 million dollars) for its first six months of operation, excluding the salaries of the monitors, which will be paid by their contributing member countries.

The head of the mission, which will comprise unarmed police, military, justice and rights experts, has not yet been named.