EU concerned about Medvedev's visit to South Ossetia

The European Union expressed Thursday its concern about the Russian president's visit to Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, Xinhua reported.
  

The EU notes that the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, has paid a visit to the Georgian region of South Ossetia without the prior consent of the Government of Georgia, the EU presidency Sweden said in a statement.
  

"The EU considers this visit as incompatible with the principle of territorial integrity and is concerned about its effects on the international efforts to stabilize the region," the statement said.
  

The EU reiterates its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, it added.
  

Medvedev paid his first visit on Monday to South Ossetia, which Russia recognized as independent after a brief war last year.
  

Georgia and Russia fought a five-day war last August, when Georgia attacked South Ossetia to retake the rebel region which borders Russia. In response, Moscow sent in troops to drive Georgian forces out of the region.
  

Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states two weeks after the conflict ended.