South Ossetia supported

Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins phoned Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvilli in orderto review the recent military clashes and the current situation inthe region of Georgia, South Ossetia. 

Foreign Minister Riekstins reiterated his support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, pointing to the necessity of solving the existing situation only through negotiations and avoiding the use of military force.

"We commend the ceasefire offered by Mikheil Saakashvili yesterday to South Ossetia, and Georgia's repeated attempts to start immediate negotiations between both sides," Minister Riekstins noted.

At the same time Foreign Minister Riekstins emphasized that, under the current circumstances, the Russian Federation needs to use its influence in South Ossetia in order to put an end to provocative actions on the part of South Ossetia'sde facto government.

Minister Riekstins also expressed his hope that the Russian Federation will not get involved in military operations in South Ossetia.

South Ossetia's main concerns are that their independence is not recognized by any UN member states, the fact that Georgia retains a strong hold in the region and on August 8, Georgiahas moved troops in to the region to establish control.

The move by Georgiahas prompted the Russian forces to enter Georgiaby way of Southern Ossetia.