Canada concerned by Syria’s recognition of Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
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Global Affairs Canada issued the statement today regarding Syria’s recognition of Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia currently occupied by Russia.
"Canada strongly condemns the Syrian regime’s recognition of the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. Russia’s occupation of these regions is a clear violation of international law that infringes on Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Syria’s actions challenge the rules-based international order and compromise the chances of achieving a peaceful resolution of this conflict,” reads the statement by Global Affairs Canada.
According to the statement, Canada "unreservedly supports Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders” and calls on Russia to abide by its obligations under the Ceasefire Agreement of August 12, 2008, and the Agreement on Implementing Measures of September 8, 2008.
"All states must respect their international obligations under the UN Charter,” reads the statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syria released an official statement recognising the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions as independent on May 29.
Georgia has responded with measures to cut diplomatic relations with the Syrian Arab Republic.
The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the monitoring of Georgia, Kerstin Lundgren (Sweden, ALDE) and Titus Corlatean (Romania, SOC), strongly condemned the recognition by the Syrian authorities of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
In its statement the MFA of Finland fully aligns with the EU statement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia currently occupied by Russia.
"It is Japan’s consistent position that the peaceful resolution of the issue concerning Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia in line with the principles of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders is essential for peace and stability of the country and the entire South Caucasus region,” reads a press release published by Japan’s embassy to Georgia based in Tbilisi today.
Syria’s decision will not affect the broad international understanding that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia, reads a statement released by NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu.
Portugal supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.