EU presidency says elections in South Ossetia “illegitimate”

The Czech EU presidency on Monday issued a statement calling elections in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia “illegitimate” and expressing full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. The EU does not accept the legality of the election, nor its result, and considers this development a setback in the search for a peaceful and lasting settlement of the situation in Georgia, the statement says. Russia recognized South Ossetia as an independent state after its five-day war with Georgia in August last year and has been trying to consolidate its hold on the region. Sunday’s election is reported to have been won by parties close to the pro-Moscow leader of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoyev.