Georgia’s President concerned as Russia expands border zone

Georgias President Giorgi Margvelashvili expressed concerns over Russias move to expand its Olympic security zone into the breakaway Georgian territory of Abkhazia.

Margvelashvili said this move would gain attention in the international community.

"When Russia completely holds the military and safety control mechanisms of the territory this is a practical step and has a political mission too, Margvelashvili said at the a special briefing today, on January 22.

Earlier this week, the de-facto Government of Abkhazia declared that the boundary zone would impede on Georgian territory until March 21, when the Olympic Games are over.

Moreover, the boundary zone will be shifted by 11km kilometers on the Psou River, near the town of Gagra.

Georgias President stressed that the Georgian leaders expressed its full readiness to be actively involved in security of the Sochi Olympics.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry called on the Russian Federation to stop provoking Georgia and live up to its international commitments, outlined under the provisions of the [2008] cease-fire agreement.

Sochi is less than 40km along the Black Sea coast from Abkhazia. Russia is one of the few countries to recognise Abkhazia as a sovereign state since it broke away from Georgia in early 90s.

Georgia has no diplomatic relations with Russia since the Russia-Georgia war in 2008 over South Ossetia, the second breakaway region of Georgia. Russia also recognises the sovereignty of South Ossetia.

Abkhazias declaration also read that individuals who entered entering into the extended border zone in a period between January 20 and March 21 were required to carry identification cards.

A special "stationary checkpoint will be established at the village of Bagripshi on the edge of the 11km zone, which will be manned by officers from the Abkhaz Security Service, Interior Ministry and Migration Service.