Russia's treaty with South Ossetia, a new breach of international commitments - Main contents
The ALDE Group in the European Parliament is deeply concerned by the treaty signed in the Kremlin by the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leader of South Ossetia, as part of Russia's expansion of its territory on the Black Sea.
ALDE Group's Foreign Affairs co-ordinator, Hans van Baalen (VVD, The Netherlands), denounces the actions taken by Kremlin:
"Putin follows the path to annexation of the occupied Georgian provinces Abkhazia and now South Ossetia by signing integration agreements.
However it is important for the EU to send a strong signal that we and the rest of the world still respect the territorial integrity of Georgia. Putin's agreement with South Ossetia carries no weight and doesn't hide the fact that Russia is an occupying force in these two regions of Georgia."
The ALDE Group's Vice-President, Petras Auštrevičius (Liberal's Movement of Lithuania), said:
"Russia is expanding its territory. The aim is to increase its strategic control over South Caucasus and to turn South Ossetia, as well as Abkhazia and Crimea, into military grounds. All this remains in breach of international law and will be reversed when Putin's empire dissolves."
Under the agreement, South Ossetia's military and economy are to become part of Russia's. The treaty also promises to ease procedures for obtaining visas or for obtaining Russian citizenship by South Ossetia's citizens, while raising salaries for civil servants and state pensions.