EUobserver: “EU urges Russia to halt Georgia 'provocations'”

Russia’s ‘creeping occupation’ has been the focus of international attention in recent days; thus the article published today by the EUobserver reviews the situation and summarises the response to Russia’s recent actions.

Author Andrew Rettman writes about Russia’s recent "annexation” of a small piece of Georgia’s land and the follow-up responses to this action.

Russian troops, earlier this week, moved markers saying "state border” 450 metres deeper into Georgia from the South Ossetia demarcation line. The step means Russia controls a 1.6 km-long segment of the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline, which is owned by British firm BP,” he writes.

"It puts Russian soldiers within a few metres of the E60 highway, which connects Tbilisi with the rest of the country. It also cuts off local Georgian farmers from 10 hectares of wheat fields and cattle pastures.”

Rettman then briefly summarizes the response from various members of the international community, who condemned Russia’s actions as provocative and a violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The EU, which deployed monitors in Georgia after the 2008 war, said Russia's action is "provocative.” It urged Russia to "avoid … any action that is detrimental to ongoing efforts to stabilise the situation” and called on Georgia to show "restraint.” The US ambassador to Georgia, Richard Norland, said the land-grab is designed to "humiliate” Georgia’s pro-Western government,” said Rettman’s article.

Read the full article here: www.euobserver.com