EU concerned about 'increase in tensions' in Georgia

(PARIS) - The French EU presidency on Monday expressed concern about an "increase in tensions" in Georgia as it condemned recent violence that left at least three dead and endangered European observers.

"The Presidency of the Council of the European Union condemns the growing number of incidents in Georgia that left two people dead in Dvani on November 10 and at least one dead in Pakhulani on November 15, and which point to an increase in tensions on the ground," an official statement read.

Two Georgian police officers were killed when a bomb exploded in the village of Dvani, near the disputed region of South Ossetia on November 10, according to the Georgian government.

The EU Presidency also expressed concern over "the safety and security of international observers who were put in a dangerous position in Pakhulani."

EU ceasefire monitors said Sunday they had come under fire as they probed the shooting death of a Georgian police officer in Pakhulani, near the breakaway region of Abkhazia in the northwest.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia were the scene of a brief conflict between Russia and Georgia in August that was sparked by an attempt by Georgia to retake control of South Ossetia.

A ceasefire brokered by the EU has been in place since August and EU monitors are patrolling areas near Abkhazia and South Ossetia but shootings and other security incidents remain frequent.