EU, U.S. Does Not Recognize Abkhaz, S.Ossetia Polls

The U.S. embassy in Tbilisi said in a statement that Washington “recognizes neither the legitimacy of the de facto ‘elections’ held in the Abkhazia region on March 24, nor those in the South Ossetia region on March 25.”
 
“Georgia’s large number of citizens displaced from their homes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia were unable to participate in the polls, nor are they able to return to their homes,” the statement reads, which also reiterates the U.S. support to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We further urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of forces to pre-conflict positions and free access for humanitarian assistance to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”

A spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said in a statement on March 26, that EU "does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework" within which elections in breakaway South Ossetia were held.

"The High Representative [Ashton] reiterates her support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, as recognised by international law. The High Representative would in this context like to emphasize the importance of the Geneva International Discussions  in ensuring the security and stability in the region," the statement reads.