Georgian Foreign Ministry concerned by crossing point closure in occupied Tskhinvali
The de facto Tskhinvali government announced the closure of two crossing points with the rest of Georgia earlier this month, saying the reason is an "escalation of tension at certain sections of the border with Georgia". Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tweet 
Share
"It is of our deepest concern that the so-called crossing points along the occupation line with the Tskhinvali region have been closed, which results in the total isolation of the population residing in the occupied territories and creates a threat of a humanitarian crisis on the ground,” Georgian Foreign Ministry official Vladimer Konstantinidi stated.
Konstantinidi said yesterday that this illegal decision of the occupation regime is “a gross violation of the fundamental human rights, restricts the freedom of movement and access of conflict-affected people to their homes and yards”.
The closure of the occupation line for indefinite time line creates critical humanitarian conditions for the residents of the Tskhinvali region and impedes the effort of Georgia and the international community directed at peaceful conflict resolution and de-escalation of the situation”, he stated.
Konstantinidi further noted that this is the part of “deliberate policy of the occupation regime aimed at destabilising the situation on the ground through various aggressive steps and provocations”.
Takeover of the heights by the occupation forces on Georgian Government controlled territory, particularly in the vicinity of the village of Chorchana, erection of the so-called ‘border’ sign and launching the works for construction of so-called post of the occupation forces serve for the the same destructive aims”, he added.
Georgian Foreign Ministry calls on the Russian Federation and its occupation regime in Tskhinvali to immediately cease the provocative actions and ensure freedom of movement of locals across the occupation line.
It is of our deepest concern that so-called crossing points along t/ occupation line with t/Tskhinvali region were closed, which results in total isolation of t/population & creates a threat of humanitarian crisis on the ground https://t.co/jwxGAHagrz #Occupation
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) September 13, 2019
It also calls on Russia to fulfil its international obligations and engage constructively in the Geneva International Discussions in order to find solutions on security and humanitarian problems of conflict-affected people.
The issue will be discussed again at the meeting with the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions on Monday, September 16. “We continue working closely with our international partners and use all available tools to safeguard the fundamental rights and the freedom of movement of people affected by the illegal occupation", Konstantinidi concluded.