US Congressmen visit Georgian village near occupied Tskhinvali

Two United States (US) Congressmen spent the day visiting locals at Khurvaleti Village near Georgia's breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region to learn about the hardships they face by living so close to the occupation line and barbed wire fences installed by Russian occupation forces.

Republican Congressmen Duncan Hunter of California and Mark Sanford of South Carolina travelled to Khurvaleti Village, located near the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) separating Georgia from the breakaway region, as part of their four-day visit to Georgia.

Local residents spoke to the two politicians about their "difficult humanitarian and social conditions", said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

The two American politicians met local residents of Khurvaleti Village and heard about their humanitarian concerns. Photo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

Congressman Hunter told reporters it was important for him, Congressmen Sanford and the wider world to learn about the conditions in the area following Russia's occupation of Tskhinvali region as a result of the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.

He stressed the significance of the international community's reaction to the situation.

Congressman Sanford added the pair had also visited refugee settlements for people who had been forced out of the region following the conflict, and witnessed the results of the "moving border", otherwise known as creeping occupation, of the ABL.

The two US politicians have been visiting Georgia since Saturday, August 27.

While here they have met top officials including Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili and Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze to discuss a range of subjects on political reforms and campaigns for Georgia's upcoming Parliamentary Election.

Before departing the visiting duo will also discuss Georgia's foreign policy priorities and broader regional security issues at other official meetings, said the Foreign Ministry.

Congressmen Hunter and Sanford will conclude their visit to Georgia on Tuesday, August 30.