Brussels, 02/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 1 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on the Russian Federation to ensure that the obstacles along the administrative boundary lines in Georgia, with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, are removed (see EUROPE 10926). She reiterated the EU's support for the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. Ashton spoke of her “profound concern” about “the continued and increasing activities by Russian security forces to erect fences and other obstacles along administrative boundary lines in Georgia between the territory administered by the government in Tbilisi and the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia”. “Such activities - which contravene Georgia's territorial integrity - create significant hardship for residents on either side of the administrative boundary lines and seriously challenge stability and security in these regions”, Ashton's spokesperson added in a press release.
The spokesperson said the EU's Political and Security Committee (COPS) was in Georgia on 30 September and, inter alia, visited the administrative boundary line of South Ossetia and the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM). (CG/transl.fl)