A 165/11
The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:
“The European Union notes with concern that Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, has paid a visit to the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 25 and 26 April 2011, without prior consent of the Georgian authorities.
The EU does not consider these visits compatible with the principle of territorial integrity. The EU reiterates its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and underlines the importance of a peaceful conflict resolution in full respect of the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.”
FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu