Russia's recognition of South Ossetia irreversible : Medvedev

Moscow, Aug 31 (UNI) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said his decision to recognise the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is irreversible.

''From the legal view point, the new states have appeared,'' Mr Medvedev said in an interview to Russia's major TV channels today.

''The process of their recognition may take quite a long time.

But this will not change our position in any way,'' he said.

''We have made our decision irreversibly. It is our duty to provide peace and order in the region. That is what we will be basing our actions on,'' he added.

He also said Moscow's agreements with the two regions envisaged military as well as economic support.

Ahead of an emergency EU summit on Georgia in Brussels tomorrow, he warned that Russia was ready to retaliate against any sanctions the EU might impose.

UNI XC AM BST0302