Gordon Brown Talks to Dmitry Medvedev

In a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Dmitry Medvedev explained Russia's reasons for recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In the telephone conversation Mr Medvedev noted that Mikhail Saakashvili launched an aggression against the people of South Ossetia which fundamentally altered the conditions in which, during last 17 years, attempts were made to settle the relations between South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia. Following the clear and explicit expression of the will of the peoples of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, especially against the backdrop of the remilitarization of [President of Georgia Mikhail] Saakashvili’s regime and its revanchist policies, the situation demanded immediate reaction to ensure the security and survival of the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

At the same time, Mr Medvedev stressed that Russia is fully implementing the six Medvedev - Sarkozy principles and notes that they retain their full value. The Russian side not only supports but is in favour of the deployment of additional OSCE monitors in the security zone and for establishing impartial international monitoring of the activities of the current Georgian leadership. In this regard Russia looks forward to maintaining a constructive dialogue with EU, other international organisations, as well as individual countries.

During the conversation the heads of state touched on international cooperation. In particular, Dmitry Medvedev confirmed that Russia fully supports the efforts of the international community to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and will take very active part in the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly Session to achieve those Goals.

The conversation was held at British initiative.

ENDS

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