Australian FM to discuss Georgia with Russian ambassador
Updated
Australia's foreign minister, Stephen Smith, will meet the Russian ambassador on Thursday to discuss the Federation's decision to recognise Georgia's breakaway regions as independent countries.
Mr Smith says the move by Russia to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is provocative and unhelpful.
The government doesn't support Russia's declaration, and will still recognise the territorial sovereignty of Georgia over the two provinces.
The government has also expressed its concern over Russia's failure to abide by a ceasefire with Georgia brokered by the European Union.
It's again called on Russia to return its troops to the positions they occupied before the large scale military offensive began earlier this month.
