Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A delegation of the EU Political and Security Committee completed its visit to Georgia on October 1, the EU representation in Georgia reported.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze, State Minister for Reintegration Paata Zakareishvili, special representative of the Prime Minister on relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze, as well as with representatives of the parliamentary majority and minorities and civil society.

They also visited the administrative separation zone and met with representatives of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM).

In particular, the Committee members expressed concern with the construction of the various barriers along the dividing line, which has a negative impact on the lives of local people.

They reiterated EU's support for the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.

Earlier, the Georgian Foreign Ministry accused Russia of flagrant violation of the principles of international law noting that the barriers prevent the relations between the nations.

As the Georgian Interior Ministry reported, the Russian forces continue the preparatory work for the construction of fences in the Dvani village of the Kareli region.

Georgia and Russia, its giant northern neighbor, have maintained no diplomatic relations since a brief war in 2008. Tbilisi broke off relations with Moscow in August 2008 when Moscow crushed a Georgian assault to reassert control over two rebel regions -- South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- and later recognized the regions. Georgia announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories in September 2008.