Georgian parliament urges cutting ties with Russia

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-29-2008 13:46

Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is expected to further deteriorate relations between Russia and Georgia. And the Georgian parliament has voted to break off diplomatic ties with Russia.

Georgian lawmakers voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a resolution which declared Russian forces in and around South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as "occupying forces". They also called on the government to sever diplomatic ties with Moscow.

The parliament resolution came a day after Georgia said it was cutting its diplomatic staff in its embassy in Moscow to a minimum. This was in response to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's decision to recognize the two regions.

Meanwhile, Georgian Foreign Minister, Ekaterina Tkeshelashvili, urged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, to take prompt action regarding the Georgia-Russia conflict.