Ban Ki-Moon concerned about Georgia crisis

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon expressed concern on Tuesday about Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. “The question of recognition of states is a matter for sovereign states to decide”, Secretary General highlighted in a statement issued by his spokesperson. “Today's developments may have wider implications for security and stability in the Caucasus”, it said. “The Secretary General regrets that ongoing efforts to find a common solution on the way forward in the crisis in Georgia within the Security Council may be complicated.” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had announced Russia's recognition of the separatist territories earlier that day.