International society deems Abkhazian elections “illegal”

International society says it did not recognise the "presidential elections” in Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and assessed the event as "non-constitutional and illegal”.

Foreign Ministries of several countries released special statements that condemned the "illegitimate elections” held in Abkhazia on August 24.

"Ukraine does not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called "presidential elections”, which were held in Abkhazia, Georgia, on 24 August 2014 in contradiction of principles of international law, values of democracy and human rights,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said today.

Poland also said it stood for settlement of the conflict on Georgian territory based on the principles and norms of international law.

"[The Polish Foreign Ministry] wishes to emphasize that the Republic of Poland, in line with the principles of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, does not recognise the legality of the elections. It is the MFA’s opinion that such undertakings do not contribute to bringing the positions of the parties to the conflict in Georgia closer together, and diminish the prospects of resolving this conflict,” the agency wrote on its website today.

Lithuania too said it did not recognise the "elections” and emphasized the importance of the Geneva International Discussions in ensuring security and stability in the region.

"Any kind of elections in the region of Abkhazia might be legitimate only after a peaceful solution to the conflict is reached via negotiations and with the agreement of all parties involved,” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said.

Estonia, Romania and Azerbaijan were also among those who did not recognise the constitutional and legal framework in which the "elections” had taken place in occupied Abkhazia.

The countries reaffirmed their full support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognised borders and its policy of non-recognition of independence of two breakaway regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.