Brussels, 30/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 28 August, the pro-Russian candidate, Alexander Ankvab, was elected to the post of president of the breakaway region of Abkhazia. A statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on these elections points out that the “European Union does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework within which these elections have taken place”. The EU “reiterates its support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, as recognised by international law”, the statement adds. In this context, Ashton's spokesperson states that the EU “would like to emphasise the importance of the Geneva international discussions in ensuring security and stability in the region”. This remark was also taken up in another press release from the president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, who also “strongly encourages the final resumption of official relations between Moscow and Tbilissi”. Buzek points out that the elections in Abkhazia do not change the EP's stance on this region. He underlines that the European Parliament “is committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia”. The EP president also deplores the fact that, three years after the conflict, Russia still does not respect the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008 on the withdrawal of troops to the pre-conflict positions from the Georgian occupied province of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia should also, he says, cease issuing passports to the people of the occupied provinces. (O.L./transl.jl)