Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins condemns the decision by the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitrij Medvedev, to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Such a decision is contrary to the principles of Georgia's independence, sovreignty and territorial integrity, which are recognised by the United Nation's Charter, the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN Security Council resolutions.

The Foreign Minister expresses steadfast support to the principle of Georgia's territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

The Foreign Minister calls for a political solution to the conflict in Georgia and believes that Russia's decision does not, in any way, facilitate the achievement of a settlement.

(end of text)