NAC statement on the Russian recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia The North Atlantic Council condemns the decision of the Russian Federation to extend recognition to the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia and calls upon Russia to reverse its decision. Russia’s decision violates the many UN Security Council resolutions it has endorsed regarding Georgia’s territorial integrity, and is inconsistent with the fundamental OSCE principles on which stability in Europe is based. Russia’s actions have called into question its commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus. Georgia’s recovery, security and stability are important to the Alliance. NATO calls on Russia to respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and to fulfill its commitments under the six-principle agreement signed by President Saakashvili and President Medvedev (1). (1) As complemented by President Sarkozy’s clarifications and correspondence on this issue. -- News and information is routinely placed on the NATO website. This includes audio files, transcripts and high resolution photographs, which are posted as soon as possible after events of media interest. Check the 'What's New' file. Nouvelles et informations sont régulièrement affichées sur le site Web de l'OTAN, sous la forme de fichiers audio, de transcriptions et de photographies destinées à la publication. Elles sont disponibles le plus rapidement possible après les événements présentant un intérêt pour les médias. Cliquer sur "Quoi de neuf?" -- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – Organisation du Traité de l’Atlantique Nord Press & Media – Presse & Médias B-1110 Bruxelles Belgique E-mail: press@hq.nato.int – Tel.: 32 2 707 50 41 – Fax: 32 2 707 50 57 – Internet: www.nato.int -- If you do not want to receive any more messages via NATODATA, please click here to leave this list.