The EU 'noted with deep regret and concern that agreement has not been reached on the future of the UN and OSCE monitoring missions in Georgia. This development further underscores the crucial role of EUMM Georgia', the statement said.

But while the mission is mandated by the EU to operate throughout the war zone, Russia has refused to let observers into the separatist areas until the bloc also recognises their independence.

The EU has flatly refused to consider such a trade-off and insists that the two zones are part of Georgia.

The statement pointed out that the EU's mission is mandated to cover the whole of Georgian territory, as defined by the EU and all other countries except Russia and Nicaragua, and called for 'unhindered access of EUMM to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which has so far been denied'.