NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said he notes “with concern” erecting of fences and obstacles along the administrative boundary lines of breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian forces.

“This is in contradiction with Russia’s international commitments and does not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he said in a statement on October 2.

“It has a negative impact on the situation on the ground, and it affects the lives of those citizens of Georgia who live on either side of the administrative boundary lines. I call for the removal of these barriers.”

“NATO’s position is very clear. As stated at the Chicago Summit, NATO supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states,” Rasmussen said.