MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti) - Georgia cannot regain the trust of its neighbors until it signs a treaty renouncing violence against its former republics, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Almost exactly a year on from Georgia's attack on South Ossetia, which resulted in a five-day Georgia-Russia war, the two countries have been accusing each other of seeking to raise tensions in the region.
"Despite the failure of their irresponsible venture last August, Tbilisi's authorities, it would appear, have no intention of abandoning their plans to restore Georgia's territorial integrity by force," Andrei Nesterenko told reporters in Moscow.
"We therefore insist that they take on a legal obligation on the non-use of force. Georgia must take on this obligation unconditionally, not with respect to Russia, but to its neighboring republics - South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Only in this way can Tbilisi restore even a minimal level of trust among its neighbors and the international community."
He said the pact must provide clear guarantees for the security of the South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples, to avoid a repeat of last summer's tragedy.
The spokesman also pledged Russia's continued economic support for the two republics, which it recognizes as independent states. Georgia's military assault crippled South Ossetia's infrastructure, destroyed homes, and claimed hundreds of lives. Most residents of both ex-Georgian republics have Russian citizenship.
"Russia will continue to provide to the brother nations of South Ossetia and Abkhazia through large-scale socio-economic support, in particular to rebuild housing and civilian infrastructure, and also to help guard their state borders."
He said Russian troops in the region are ensuring the republics' security, and creating the necessary conditions for their development. However, Nesterenko highlighted the "many challenges and problems" facing Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
