Helsinki  - Finland, current chair of the 56-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), expressed concern Wednesday over "increased tension" in Georgia.

Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb issued a statement repeating previous concern over Moscow's decision to establish ties with two breakaway regions in Georgia.

Stubb said the April 20 downing of Georgian drone over Abkhazia "and the recent military build-up have considerably increased tension in the region."

He said he had telephoned Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as part of attempts to avert further escalation.

The OSCE was prepared to aid the peace process and supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, the statement said. (dpa)