NATO urges Russia to withdraw troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia

The NATO secretary general has called on Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, speaking at a press conference in Brussels, called on Russia to reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and withdraw its troops from Georgia, Censor.NET reports.

"NATO is strongly committed to Georgia's security and territorial integrity. We are concerned by Russia's deepening relations with the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia. We call on Russia to reverse its recognition of these regions and to withdraw its forces from Georgia," Stoltenberg said.

He added NATO will continue to work together and to provide the practical tools to help Georgia advance toward eventual NATO membership.

Moscow recognized Abkhazia as an independent state after hostilities broke out between Russia and Georgia in 2008.