NATO, OSCE and EU condemn recognition by Russia of Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence

The NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has called Russia's to recognize Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence to be a direct violation of several resolutions of the UN Security Council on territorial integrity of Georgia, the resolutions approved by Russia itself.

The OSCE has also condemned Russia's recognition of Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence. "The recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence breaks the fundamental principles of the OSCE. All the OSCE countries, including Russia, should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries," runs the statement of the Chairman of the OSCE, head of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb, as the "Interfax" reports.

According to Christina Gallah, press secretary of Javier Solana, EU Supreme Representative on Foreign Policy and Security, the European Union continues supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia.

According to Ms Gallah, time is necessary to make a complete estimate of the situation. It will be done next week at the emergency summit of the heads of EU states and governments in Brussels, she has added according to the ITAR-TASS.

Meanwhile, in the opinion of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, Russia's decision to recognize South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence is completely matching the international law. In his interview to the Russia Today TV Channel, Mr Medvedev has reminded that when the situation with Kosovo arose, the western partners of Russia kept saying that it was a special case.

"Nothing frightens us, including the prospects of cold war, but we don't want it; in this situation everything will depend on the stand of our partners," said the President.

Besides, according to Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, Russia is not going to unite with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to Mr Lavrov, as quoted by the Reuters, the leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia did not touch on the issue of joining Russia. "I don't think this topic will be raised," said the head of the MFA.