Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, and the leaders of Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia held discussions on conflict resolution issues, “particularly in light of the planned unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Lavrov met with the Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders, Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively, in Moscow on February 15.

“The declaration and recognition of Kosovo should definitely be taken into consideration in respect of the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “At the same time, Russia reaffirms its firm commitment to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts in the framework of existing formats and to resist attempts to resolve the problem by force.”

“[The sides at the meeting] expressed concern about the destructive consequences that may result from recognition of Kosovo. This kind of step envisages revision of internationally accepted norms and principles of international law, which can undermine existing rules and the ethics of international relations.”

Regarding Abkhazia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the sides had also discussed issues related with the upcoming meeting of the UN Secretary General’s Group of Friends on Georgia - France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and the U.S. – in Geneva on February 18-19. Temur Iakobashvili, the Georgian state minister for reintegration, and Sergey Shamba, the Abkhaz foreign minister, are also expected to attend the meeting.

As for South Ossetia, the Foreign Ministry said that Kokoity had informed Lavrov of his measures “to strengthen the rule of law and order.” Some top level secessionist officials in South Ossetia were charged recently with corruption. “Sergey Lavrov noted that those measures were timely and expressed support for the South Ossetian leader’s efforts,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.