The heads of state of Russia and France continued their in-depth exchange of views on the situation around South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

During an extensive telephone conversation, which lasted about an hour, Dmitry Medvedev told Nicolas Sarkozy in detail about the current situation after Russia has made the decision to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Russian side stressed the need for the implementation by Georgia of point 4 of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan, according to which Georgian troops should withdraw to their places of permanent deployment. The two leaders also discussed additional agreements that may serve in the future to ensure security in areas adjacent to the borders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

During the conversation the President of Russia described in detail his views on a number of considerations and concerns raised by the President of France in connection with certain media reports on the situation in the region. He laid out the fundamental position of the Russian Federation regarding the need for accelerated solutions to the security problems of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The head of the Russian state confirmed his readiness to continue contacts with his French counterpart, including the possibility of organising a meeting in Russia.

Direct link