Solana Welcomes Russia’s Withdrawal

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has welcomed the withdrawal of Russian forces from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

“I just spoke to the Head of Mission of the EU Monitoring Mission, Hansjörg Haber, who confirmed to me that the withdrawal is taking place and that the cooperation with the Russian commanders continues to be very constructive,” Solana said in a statement on October 8. “I express my satisfaction with the evolution of the situation and I welcome the words of [Russian] President Medvedev that the withdrawal will be completed by midnight.”

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Russian troops had completed their pullback.

“We can confirm that from the so-called buffer zones the withdrawal is complete,” Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said.

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