The spokesperson of the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, on Tuesday 3 September, called on Russia and Georgia to exercise restraint and use their influence to promote peace, while Tbilisi announced that it had observed the mobilisation of military personnel and equipment in the breakaway region of South Ossetia, a region supported by Russia.
South Ossetia threatened on 29 August that Georgia would take measures "to ensure the security of the people of South Ossetia and protect the State border" if Tbilisi did not remove its observation post near the city of Shorchana, less than 3 kilometres from the demarcation line.
"Proximity of armed actors on both sides of the administrative boundary line is not acceptable. We expect both sides to show maximum restraint and use their influence to ensure that the situation does not escalate", the spokesperson told the media. The EU will continue to remain actively engaged in efforts to resolve the conflict, she promised, also recalling the EU's support for Georgia's territorial integrity. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)