Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that his country appreciates Turkey's efforts to advance the solution process for the Caucasus issue, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

At a joint press conference in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Lavrov said they agreed to maintain peace, security and tranquility in the region.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan (L) shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Istanbul, Trukey, Sept. 2, 2008. Sergey Lavrov arrived in Istanbul and started his visit in Turkey on Tuesday. [Xinhua Photo]

Lavrov, who was in Istanbul for talks on the Georgia crisis, said international responsibilities were violated and attacks were staged on South Ossetia.

He said that under those circumstances, recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was "the only way out." He added that recognition would not only protect the security of Abkhazia and South Ossetia but also be the only alternative for those people to pursue their existence.

Lavrov said that Russia supported Ankara's proposal to set up a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform.

For his part, Babacan said that Turkey, under any condition, would continue to exert efforts to solve problems through dialogue and peaceful ways, adding that Turkey was following the recent incidents in Georgia with uneasiness.

Babacan said that settlement of peace and stability in Caucasus was of vital importance for Turkey which was a neighbor of the region.

He said that Turkey attached importance to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

Babacan said he and Lavrov agreed that the "Caucasus Stability & Cooperation Platform" was an initiative aimed at building confidence among regional countries to restore permanent peace and stability.

"We also decided to develop and implement this initiative as well as continue our close talks and cooperation," Babacan added.

Georgia, a former Soviet republic, has long been at odds with Russia over its two breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as its own bids to join NATO and the European Union.

Earlier this month, Georgia sent in troops to reclaim South Ossetia, triggering a military counter-offensive by Russia. The conflict ended with a ceasefire agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow brokered by France.

However, tensions between the two nations were heightened as Russia recognized the self-proclaimed independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia last Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2008)