OSCE condemns Russian recognition of Georgia regions

The head of Europe's top human rights and security body, the OSCE, also condemned Russia's recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on Tuesday. “The recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles,” Alexander Stubb, Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, stated. “Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire agreement”, he stressed. The international community could not accept unilaterally established buffer zones, Stubb concluded.