Georgian President: Crimea A Re-Run Of South Ossetia

The Russian annexation of Crimea is a repeat of the crisis in South Ossetia in 2008, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has said.



Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Istanbul on Monday, Margvelashvili said the two situations were "parts of the same scenario."



Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia and six years ago conflict between the breakaway region and Georgia saw Russia recognize South Ossetia and send in troops.



In March, Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and was occupied by Russian forces.



Arguing the case to maintain strict sanctions on Russia, Margvelashvili said Russian involvement in Crimea would have been more difficult if the EU had kept the South Ossetia case in mind.



"The sanctions on Russia need to be kept high on the agenda," he told the forum.



The EU and the U.S. have imposed sanctions on Russia over its involvement in Ukraine including travel bans on individuals and trade restrictions on energy, finance and arms companies.



Margvelashvili said Georgia could give the EU a "gateway to Caspian resources, most of the Asian markets, trade and doing business in a very moderate taxation system."



Georgia does not currently have status as a candidate state to the EU.



www.aa.com.tr/en - İstanbul