Georgian Parliament Speaker tells French MPs that Russia has turned Georgian occupied regions into military bases

Georgian Parliament Speaker told French lawmakers today that “both occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have in fact become the closed military bases of Russia or service stations”.

He said that despite the efforts of the Georgian government, the regions are currently unable to share in the progress the rest of Georgia has achieved.

During his speech at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of France, Kobakhidze noted that 20 per cent of Georgian lands are occupied by Russia and that a continuous creeping occupation on Georgian territory is also taking place.

He said that despite the occupation Georgia has chosen a “pragmatic policy” and has taken steps to improve trade-economic ties with Russia.

Irakli Kobakhidze met with President of the National Assembly of France Richard Ferrand. Photo: Parliaments' press office. 

The restoration of diplomatic relations is impossible in when Russia refuses to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory,” Kobakhidze said.

Kobakhidze also spoke about the importance of the Black Sea region for international peace and security and Georgia’s role in this regard.

He said that the goal of the Georgian government is to transform Georgia into a truly democratic state.

During his visit to France Kobakhidze met the chair of the French parliament and other top officials of the legislative government and discussed the possibilities of further enhancing trade-economic, cultural and political ties between the two countries.

Kobakhidze met with representatives of the Georgian diaspora and stated that the election of Salome Zurabishvili as the new president of Georgia, who was born in France, will further enhance people-to-people and other ties between Georgia and France.