Emportal 02 Settembre 2008

Greece will not recognise the Georgian separatist provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as it did not recognise the independence of Kosovo

The Greek government today opposed to sanctions against Russia over the crisis with Georgia, saying that "isolation is not a solution".

Sources from the French Presidency of the EU have not confirmed the information regarding sanctions, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said at a briefing, cited by ANA news agency.

As for the relations between NATO and Moscow, "every opportunity" for dialogue under the "NATO-Russia council" must be exploited, Koumoutsakos said.

Koumoutsakos assured that Greece will not recognise the Georgian separatist provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as it did not recognise the independence of Kosovo.

Yesterday Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said that Athens backed the condemnation of Russia on the part of the French presidency of the EU, but criticised Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili for making "numerous serious mistakes" and for misinterpreting the situation.

Source >  Emportal.co