EU criticizes Russia's ties with Abkhazia, South Ossetia

Brussels - The European Union on Friday expressed concern over Moscow's decision to establish ties with the two breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In a statement on behalf of the 27 EU members states current EU president Slovenia reiterated 'its firm commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders as reaffirmed in the (UN Security Council) resolution 1808 of April 15, 2008.' Calling on Russia not to implement its decision on Wednesday to establish legal ties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the statement added that 'the decision of the Russian Federation jeopardizes the implementation of these principles.' 'The EU urges all parties involved to refrain from any actions that could lead towards the escalation of the situation in the region,' the statement continued. On Thursday, Georgia's Foreign Ministry accused Russia of plotting to annex its separatist regions, calling the Russian move 'one more dangerous step aimed at the de facto annexation of an integral part of Georgia's territory.' Georgia, a former Soviet republic, appealed to the 'whole international community' to do everything in their power to stop Russia's 'violation of Georgia's internationally recognized territorial integrity.' US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday telephoned her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, to raise concerns about the Russian decision. 'We are very concerned at the steps that have been taken and we have made our views known to the Russian government,' Rice told journalists. 'The United States is absolutely committed to the territorial integrity of Georgia,' she added. Russia officially endorses Georgia's territorial integrity, but has warned that the independence of Kosovo from Serbia in February could serve as a precedent. Russia last month lifted trade restrictions against both Georgia regions. Russia has maintained peacekeeping troops in the regions since 1993 and the separatists have looked to Moscow for support.