(BRUSSELS) - The European Union expressed concern Friday about the rising violence in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia and called on all sides to show restraint.

France, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, "expresses concern over the last incidents that have occurred in South Ossetia and caused human casualties, against an already tense background," a statement said.

"The presidency calls on the parties to show restraint and to resume dialogue as soon as possible in order to restore confidence. The EU is carefully monitoring changes in the situation in conflict zones in Georgia."

South Ossetia's leaders ordered residents to mobilise Friday and threatened to use heavy weapons against Georgian forces after two people were killed in intense shelling.

Russia accused Tbilisi of carrying out an "act of aggression" against South Ossetia in the heaviest in the volatile region so far this year.

Georgia said its forces acted in self defence after Georgian villages came under fire.

Georgia accuses Russia of seeking to annex South Ossetia and another rebel region Abkhazia and derail its efforts to join the NATO military alliance.

Russia claims Georgia wants to take back the regions by force.

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