(BRUSSELS) - The European Union is urging Russia to respect the territorial integrity of Georgia's internationally recognised borders, a statement issued by its Slovenian presidency said Friday.

"The EU remains seriously concerned by the recent series of events that have raised tensions between Georgia and the Russian Federation," it said.

Brussels highlighted Moscow's decision to boost "peacekeeper" troop numbers in the breakaway region of Abkhazia and Tbilisi's accusations over the downing of an unmanned Georgian spy drone in Georgian airspace on April 20.

The statement called on "all sides to refrain from any steps that could increase tensions and urges the sides to take action to rebuild confidence."

It backed an April 15 United Nations Security Council resolution which reaffirmed Georgian sovereignty over Abkhazia and another rebel province with strong links to Moscow, South Ossetia.

Georgia's pro-Western government has repeatedly accused Moscow of attempting to annex Abkhazia and another rebel region, South Ossetia, in order to weaken the country and stymie its efforts to join the NATO military alliance.

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