The European Union “remains seriously concerned” by the recent series of events that have raised tensions between Georgia and Russia, the EU Slovenian presidency said in a statement on May 2.

“The EU calls on all sides to refrain from any steps that could increase tensions and urges the sides to take action to rebuild confidence,” it said. “The EU reiterates its firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.”

This includes the announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defence on 29 April to increase the number of CIS peacekeepers in Abkhazia and to establish 15 additional check-points along the administrative boundary-line and the incident involving the downing of a Georgian unmanned aerial vehicle in Georgian airspace on 20 April.