NATO Secretary-General called on Russia to reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Baku/03.10.13/Turan-BS PRESS:. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Russia to reverse its recognition of independence of the Georgian territories - Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali region) , recalling that the alliance supports the territorial integrity of Georgia.

In a statement, the NATO Secretary General has expressed concern about the installation of Russian border barriers in the administrative boundaries of the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia from the rest of Georgia .

" This is contrary to the international obligations of Russia and does not contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. This has a negative effect on the situation on the ground , on the lives of the citizens of Georgia who live on both sides of the administrative border. I call for the removal of these barriers ," he said in the statement .

In this case, Rasmussen reminded NATO position regarding the territorial integrity of Georgia.

"As it was noted at the Chicago NATO Summit , the Alliance supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We call on Russia to reverse its recognition of regions of Georgia - South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states ," he said.

After the August 2008 war, Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali region) . In response, Tbilisi announced them occupied territories and broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow. -02D-