Leaders of the European Union (EU) and Russia on Friday clashed over Georgia with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev refusing to back down on Moscow's decision to recognize the two breakaway regions of Georgia as independence states.
"The recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is our final decision. It is irrevocable," Medvedev told reporters at the EU-Russia summit.
The EU had said before the summit that the status quo in Georgia is not acceptable and that Georgia's territorial integrity should be restored.
In response, Medvedev said: "Russia fully recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia, taking into account the recognition as independent subjects of international law of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."
The Russian president rejected EU demands that Moscow withdraw its troops to pre-conflict positions.
"The Medvedev-Sarkozy plan has been fully, appropriately accomplished," said Medvedev, referring to a deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, which asks for a withdrawal of Georgian and Russian troops to pre-conflict lines.
Sarkozy said Russia has implemented most of the plan but more needs to be done, referring to additional Russian troop withdrawals from South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Source:Xinhua
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