NATO chief urges Russia to remove South Ossetia fences

Brussels (dpa) - NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on Russia Wednesday to remove fences it has erected between the disputed republic of South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, saying that they violate Moscows international commitments.

South Ossetia, along with nearby Abkhazia, were at the centre of a brief war in 2008 between Russia and Georgia. Russia now recognizes the two South Caucasus breakaway regions as independent, while the West considers them to be part of Georgia.

The fences and other "obstacles" that have been erected in South Ossetia for several months are "in contradiction with Russias international commitments and (do) not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict," Rasmussen said in a statement.

"It has a negative impact on the situation on the ground and it affects the lives of those citizens of Georgia who live on either side of the administrative boundary lines," he added. "I call for the removal of these barriers."

The evening before, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton had also expressed "profound concern" about Russias actions and called for the barriers to be removed, arguing that they "seriously challenge stability and security."

Relations between NATO and Russia have been strained in recent years over the alliances plans for a missile defence shield in Europe. Georgia aspires to join the military alliance.

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NATO chief urges Russia to remove South Ossetia fences