Stockholm - The European Union on Thursday criticized Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia.

"The EU does not consider this visit compatible with the principle of territorial integrity nor helpful for the international efforts to stabilise the region," said a statement issued by Sweden, the current president of the 27-naton bloc.

Putin visited Abkhazia on Wednesday. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are two breakaway regions that Russia has recognized but Georgia regards as part of its territory.

The EU said it supported "Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity." (dpa)