UK Foreign Minister calls Russia deal with de facto Abkhazia ‘absolutely unacceptable’

A high official in the government of the United Kingdon (UK) has spoken out against the military deal Russia recently made with Georgia's de facto region Abkhazia.

The UK's Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Alan Duncan, arrived in Georgia earlier today and after his first meeting with the country’s Acting Prime Minister, he stressed the Russia- Abkhazia military deal was "absolutely unacceptable” 

Russia must be clearly told that any military deal with Georgia's de facto regions of Abkhazia or Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) is absolutely unacceptable,” Duncan said this morning after his meeting with Georgia's Acting PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili. 

We are here to protect Georgia’s interests,” said Duncan about the recently ratified deal that envisaged creating a joint military unit between Russia and de facto Abkhazia. 

UK Foreign Minister met Georgia's Acting Prime Minister this morning in Tbilisi. Photo by the Prime Minister's press office. 

The British top official also stressed Russia "had no respect” for other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

During the meeting, which was held within the Georgia-UK dialogue format known as Wardrop Dialogue, the officials mainly discussed trade and economic, and defence-related topics. 

The Government of Georgia's press office said the Wardrop Dialogue typically involved discussions on politics, security, defence and economic issues but the topics discussed would be broadened. 

The Georgian Government noted closer ties would be established between Georgia and the UK in trade and economic relations.

The meeting highlighted that the UK is a key investor in Georgia,” the Georgian Government's press office said. 

The British high official is due to remain in Georgia for two days and visit the occupation line that separates Georgia’s eastern occupied Tskhinvali region from the rest of Georgia, before he leaves the country tomorrow.