Statement Strasbourg 26 August 2008
Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Carl Bildt on the recognition of South-Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia

Statement by Carl Bildt, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

"I condemn the decision by President Medvedev to recognise the independence of the two Georgian regions of South-Ossetia and Abkhazia. This decision seriously jeopardises the possibility of a peaceful resolution of the conflict in line with the principles of international law. It blatantly contradicts the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe, as well as commitments taken by the Russian Federation towards, the Council of Europe, as well as the repeated assurances given by the Russian authorities in favour of the full respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia."