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Russia signs pact with Abkhazia, South Ossetia

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to foil any new military attack by Georgia against its former territories.

Speaking at the signing of friendship and mutual assistance treaties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Mr. Medvedev said a priority task for Russia was to guarantee the security of the two new sovereign states. Moscow recognised their independence on August 26, after repulsing the Georgian offensive against South Ossetia.

“The documents we have signed envisage that our countries will jointly undertake the necessary measures for counteracting threats to peace… and opposing acts of aggression,” he said, adding: “A repeat of the Georgian aggression… would lead to a catastrophe on a regional scale, so no one should be in doubt that we will not allow new military adventures. No one should have any illusions.”

Last month, Mr. Medvedev sanctioned the immediate deployment of 4,000 Russian troops each in Abkhazia and South Ossetia at the request of their leaders.

Under the defence pacts, Russia would set up military bases in the region.

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