Georgia needs world support to preserve sovereignty, says Foreign Ministry

Twenty percent of Georgia's territory remains occupied, mass violations of human rights and ethnic cleansing is still ongoing in the areas affected by Russian ‘borderisation’ and creeping annexation - Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling on the international community to react adequately after seven years of the tragic results of the Russian– Georgian war of 2008.

"Seven years after the August 2008 war, 20 percent of Georgia's territory remains under occupation, resulted in mass violations of fundamental rights of the local population and the hundreds of thousands of victims of ethnic cleansing, which are still denied the right to safe and dignified return to the places of their original residence,” read the statement published by Georgia’s Foreign Ministry today.

The Ministry underlined that despite "constructive measures” by the Georgian Government Moscow continued its "policy of creeping annexation” and violation of the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement.

A clear illustration of that is the signature of the so-called "treaties” on integration with Sokhumi and Tskhinvali occupation regimes, the continuation of the installation of artificial obstacles along the occupation line and placement of banners marking the so-called "state border” by Moscow,” said the Ministry.

"Such actions violate not only the fundamental principles of international law, but infringes civil, social and economic rights of local residents, primarily, their right to the freedom of movement,” it emphasized.

The country’s foreign office stated the importance of the Geneva International Discussions and stressed the constructive position of official Tbilisi, but said Georgia still needed the "firm support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia” from the international community to solve the issue.

In the existing situation, firm and consistent support of the international community is of utmost importance. Georgia continued to express its gratitude and has once again called on the international community to continue its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

The Government of Georgia will further continue the implementation of its de-escalation policy and will use all available diplomatic and political tools in order to resolve the existing conflict through peaceful means only, based on the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders,” said the statement.

The Ministry also expressed condolences to the families of all victims of the August 2008 war.

Read Lali Tsertvadze's story 'Georgia: Easter behind barbed wire' about how creeping occupation has affected people's lives.