In an interview with Russian state television, Lavrov said the EU civilian monitors were an important force in keeping the peace in the region.

"The presence of EU monitors on Georgian territories bordering South Ossetia and Abkhazia is an important stabilizing factor and we support such a presence," Lavrov told the Vesti-24 news channel.

Last August, Russia fought a five-day war against Georgia over the rebel province of South Ossetia.

The unarmed EU monitors were sent to the region in the wake of the conflict under a peace deal brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The 225 civilian observers patrol along the de facto borders of both Georgia's pro-Moscow breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

In July this year, EU foreign ministers agreed to extend the European Union Monitory Mission (EUMM) for another year to September 14, 2010.

The importance of the EU mission has grown in recent months after the withdrawal of observer missions of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Both the UN and OSCE monitoring missions left after Russia opposed a renewal of their mandates.

Tensions rise between Georgia and Russia

Tensions have escalated between Russia and Georgia in recent weeks as the one-year anniversary of their war looms. Russia has reacted with anger to a request by Georgia for the United States to join the EU monitoring mission.

On Wednesday, Lavrov reiterated his opposition to Georgia's request, saying it was aimed at putting US observers alongside the thousands of Russian soldiers stationed in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

"The idea is absolutely clear and we honestly told this to our US colleagues," Lavrov said. "This is all about dragging Americans into Georgia and pitching them against the Russian military," he said.

"After that, the Georgian masters of provocation…will try doing their traditional job," Lavrov said. "The risks of this are clear, Europe and the United States understand them," he added.

sp/Reuters/AFP/dpa

Editor: Susan Houlton