Italy doesn’t recognize de facto South Ossetia “Embassy” in Rome

Italy’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its “full support” for the territorial integrity of Georgia, which included Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).
Agenda.ge, 02 Apr 2016 - 15:28, Tbilisi,Georgia

Italy has confirmed its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and issued a special press release regarding the opening of the self-proclaimed representative office of the so-called "Republic of South Ossetia" in Rome.

"It has come to our knowledge that a self-proclaimed representative office of the so-called "Republic of South Ossetia" will shortly be opening in Rome,” Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reiterates its established position in this respect, which it shares with the European Union and almost all the Member States of the United Nations, which is to refuse recognition of the independence and sovereignty of South Ossetia.”

The Ministry confirmed its "full support” for the territorial integrity of Georgia, which included Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), and for the negotiating efforts made in the framework of the Geneva Talks for a consolidation of dialogue between Georgia and its two separatist regions.

"As for the self-proclaimed representative office and any holder of this office, they do not enjoy any recognition, let alone diplomatic status,” the agency said.

The Ministry issued its special statement following the alleged information spread by Russia’s Sputnik news in late March.

Sputnik quoted head of the Italy-South Ossetia Friendship Society Mauro Murga as saying the "representation of the Republic of South Ossetia in Italy has become a reality.”

Russia recognised Georgia’s de facto regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent republics after the Russia-Georgia war in 2008.

In the wake of the war only Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru recognise the independence of Georgia’s two occupied regions. The rest of the international community agree Abkhazia and Tskhinvali are integral parts of Georgia.