Carl Bildt condemns Russia's recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Carl Bildt, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, today made the following statement:

"I condemn the decision by President Medvedev to recognise the independence of the two Georgian regions of South-Ossetia and Abkhazia. This decision seriously jeopardises the possibility of a peaceful resolution of the conflict in line with the principles of international law. It blatantly contradicts the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe, the commitments taken by the Russian Federation towards the Council of Europe, as well as the repeated assurances given by the Russian authorities in favour of the full respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia."