Russia Protest Against EU Statement on Situation at Russo-Georgian Border

(Tbilisi, Civil Georgia, August 16, 2002) – Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on August 15 expressing concern regarding the declaration of the Danish government on behalf of the European Union issued on August 12 on aggravated situation at the Georgian-Russian border.

The EU called Georgia and Russia “to respect their international obligations, including territorial integrity of all countries in the region. The EU encourages the parties to undertake all possible efforts to reduce the current tensions.” The statement followed after the number of facts of violation of the Georgian airspace by the Russian jets and fighter helicopters.

“Confusing that the authors of the statement did not mentioned anything about the reasons of aggravation of situation at the border, caused with the aggression of Chechen fighters, who infiltrated into Russia from Georgia,” the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement says.

The Russian Foreign Ministry once more called the Georgian authorities to deal with the Pankisi gorge problem, where according to the Russian officials international terrorist groups find a safe haven.