The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia responds to the statement of the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Dimitry Medvedev, and says that this is a continuation of the Russian Federation's policy of occupation of the territories of Georgia and another attempt to violate sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the Russian Federation to respect the fundamental principles and norms of international law and to implement the cease-fire agreement of August 12, 2008.

"On the 15th anniversary of the August 2008 war, the statement made by the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council is a continuation of the Russian Federation's policy of occupation of Georgian territories and another attempt to violate sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on the Russian Federation to respect the fundamental principles and norms of international law and to implement the cease-fire agreement of August 12, 2008. Georgia firmly adheres to the policy of peaceful resolution of the conflict and in this way ensuring the de-occupation of the territories of Georgia and ensuring reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between the population separated as a result of the war," reads the statement released by the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Dimitry Medvedev, the idea of Abkhazia and "South Ossetia" joining Russia can be implemented if the West continues to escalate the situation in Georgia.

"The idea of Abkhazia and South Ossetia joining Russia is still popular and it is quite possible to implement it if there are good reasons for it," said Medvedev.

According to him, if their concerns take a real form, they will not delay it.

"There is still talk about Georgia's possible accession to NATO. Russophobia has started to erupt in this country. We don't need to repeat the history of 2008. We are ready to sit down at the negotiating table, in the spirit of the UN Charter, to solve the problems. But if our concerns take a real form, we will not delay it," Medvedev said.