Brussels - European Union member states said Thursday that they were "concerned" by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to South Ossetia, a year after the province broke away from Georgia.

"The EU considers this visit as incompatible with the principle of territorial integrity and is concerned about its effects on the international efforts to stabilize the region," member states said in a joint statement.

Medvedev's visit on Monday was made "without the prior consent of the government of Georgia ... The EU reiterates its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said.

Russia sent troops into South Ossetia and its fellow-breakaway region, Abkhazia, in August 2008, accusing Georgia of launching ethnic cleansing in the two pro-Russian regions.

Two weeks later, Russia recognized the two states' independence, a move the EU condemned.

EU member states maintain that the two breakaway regions are legally part of Georgia, and have called for a settlement which respects Georgia's sovereignty.

So far, Russia's recognition of the two regions has only been echoed by Nicaragua.(dpa)