Moscow has vetoed a Western-backed resolution to extend the UN mission to Georgia. Russia voted against the measure at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York. The UN Georgia mandate expires on 16 June at 4am GMT. The Security Council failed to agree a new one despite intensive negotiations.  

In an interview to RIA Novosti, Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba discusses the role of the United States in the war in South Ossetia, the effectiveness of a European Union peacekeeping mission in Georgia, and whose laws Belarusian citizens should respect in Sukhumi.

Question: Last week, there were reports that American observers might join the EU mission in Georgia. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby followed up by saying that a discussion could be held in the fall. What is your attitude to this idea?  

The government of Abkhazia said July 8 that Georgia resumed the flights of its unmanned aircraft.  "The border guards of the Republic of Abkhazia registered two unmanned aircraft flying from the direction of Georgia to Abkhazia's inland," a spokesperson for Abkhazia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.    

Abkhazia and South Ossetia may conduct own exercises in response to NATO ones planned in May in Georgia, said Sergey Bagapsh, the leader of Abkhazia - ITAR TASS. He mentioned that conducting the maneuvers will in no way favor stabilization of situation in Caucasus.

According to Bagapsh, Abkhazia will monitor the situation connected with NATO maneuvers, together with Russia.