US and NATO do not recognise Abkhazia elections

The United States (US) says it does not recognise the legitimacy of the recent elections in Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia, held on August 24.

"The United States is not recognising the legitimacy of the so-called presidential elections on August 24 and will not acknowledge their outcome," Jen Psaki, spokesperson for the US Department of State said on Monday.

"Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear. We once again urge Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, including withdrawing forces to pre-conflict positions reversal of its recognition of the Georgian regions as independent states,” she added.

Earlier on Monday, NATO leader Anders Fogh Rasmussen also announced the Alliance did not recognise the "elections” and stressed the presidential vote did not contribute to a lasting settlement of the situation in Georgia.

"NATO allies do not recognise the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia as independent states. The Alliance reiterates its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders,” he said.

Occupied Abkhazia held the controversial presidential election on Sunday. Georgia’s two regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region – so called South Ossetia - are currently occupied by Russian forces.