Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, signed border cooperation treaties with breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia, at a ceremony in the Kremlin on April 30, with Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders, Sergey Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoity, respectively.

The treaties give Russia, which has recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, control over the breakaway regions’ borders.

“The Abkhaz side, until it forms its own border guard forces, delegates authority for guarding its state borders to the Russian Federation in the interests of ensuring its own security,” the agreement with Abkhazia reads.

A provision with the same wording is also included in the similar agreement with South Ossetia.