Dushanbe, 27 August: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that Russia will insist on international control of Georgian territory adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and is prepared for an increase in the number of international observers.

"In connection with Russia's recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence, we do not intend to retain our peacekeeping forces outside these republics forever. Moreover, we will insist on the guaranteeing of reliable international control in districts of Georgia adjacent to their territory in order to prevent the preparation of new military adventures by the Tbilisi regime," Lavrov told journalists today.

He noted that Russia is counting "on the establishing of practical cooperation between our peacekeepers, who are at present in the security zones around South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and international peacekeepers with the aim of the agreement of the zone's regime."

"For these aims we are prepared to adopt resolutions, including in the OSCE and the UN, on the additional increase of the number of international observers, the more precise definition of their mandate and on the implementation of other possible measures with international involvement, necessary for the prevention of new attacks on South Ossetia and Abkhazia and the renewal of military operations. For the achievement of such agreements, the Russian side will be prepared to start discussion of the dates and other specific aspects of sorting control in the security zones," Lavrov emphasized.