PACE President strongly condemns Russia’s recognition of the
independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Strasbourg, 26.08.2008 – Lluís Maria de Puig, the President of the
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), has strongly condemned
Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Georgian territories of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"When it became a member of the Council of Europe, Russia promised to
respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours.
With today’s announcement, that promise is in tatters," the President
said.

"This is a clear and deliberate violation of international law and
consciously flouts a basic principle of the Council of Europe. This
action, far from saving lives, only inflames the situation further and
creates additional obstacles to resolving this conflict peacefully.

The Assembly will now assess the consequences of this action at its
forthcoming session (29 September-3 October)."

Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 597b08
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
pace.com@coe.int
internet:

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national
parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: Lluís Maria de Puig (Spain, SOC) ; Secretary General of the
Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People’s Party); SOC
(Socialist Group); EDG (European Democratic Group); ALDE (Alliance of
Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the Unified European
Left).