Georgian, foreign officials discuss coronavirus crisis in occupied regions
Russia’s ‘borderisation’ activities near the village of Takhtisdziri, its hybrid war and disinformation campaign against Georgia were also on the agenda. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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At an online meeting with the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) from the European Union, United Nations and the OSCE, Toivo Klaar, Cihan Sultanoglu and Rudolf Michalka, Georgian Deputy Minister Lasha Darsalia spoke of the situation in the Russian-occuied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As of now, occupied Tskhinvali has confirmed a total of 25 coronavirus cases. The number of confirmed cases in occupied Abkhazia has also increased to 13.
Russia’s ‘borderisation’ activities near the village of Takhtisdziri, its hybrid war and disinformation campaign against Georgia were also discussed.
Cihan Sultanoglu, Toivo Klaar and Rudolf Michalka. Photo: Georgian Foreign Ministry press office
Although the 51st GID round - which was due to take place on March 31-April 1 - has been postponed due to the coronavirus, the GID co-chairs then stated that they would remain “fully engaged to help address the challenges” created by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Marek Szczygiel, new Head of the European Union Monitoring mission (EUMM), also spoke of the situation along the occupation line with Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia.
Very productive meeting today with State Minister of ???????? for Reconciliation and Civic Equality @TsikhelashviliK.Discussed humanitarian sit. of conflict affected population during COVID-19. Visible presence of @EUMM on ground important for #stabilization, #normalization and #CBMs. pic.twitter.com/nCJsTKzxh4
— EUMM Head of Mission (@EUMMGeorgia_HoM) May 13, 2020
Welcoming Szczygiel to Georgia, Minister Tsikhelashvili said that during the introductory online meeting they discussed the Georgian government's efforts to cope with COVID-19 in conflict affected areas, grave humanitarian situation on the ground, human rights violations and the role of the EUMM.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke of the ‘humanitarian crisis’ in occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali with Pope Francis as well, who has promised to pray for Georgia.
The co-chairs of Geneva International Discussions (GIDs) from the European Union, United Nations and OSCE, Toivo Klaar, Cihan Sultanoglu and Rudolf Michalka remain “fully engaged to help address the challenges” created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Co-chairs of Geneva International Discussions (GIDs) from the European Union, United Nations and OSCE, Toivo Klaar, Cihan Sultanoğlu and Rudolf Michalka met with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani in Tbilisi after travelling to Tskhinvali earlier today.
Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) said the closure of the crossing points between Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the rest of Georgia “is creating additional hardship for the local people and is further raising tensions”.
Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), who met with the Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani on Wednesday, have released a statement on the “borderisation” process near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.
Georgia has reported 26 more recoveries from the coronavirus this morning increasing the total number of recovered patients to 419. Meanwhile, with six new cases of COVID-19 confirmed, the total number of the cases increased to 677.
The United States (US) Mission to OSCE has issued an official statement in which its team says that they would welcome the reestablishment of an OSCE field presence in Georgia ‘capable of operating unhindered across the administrative boundary lines’.
Ongoing detentions, unresolved cases of missing persons, restrictions on freedom of movement and travel abroad, response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and specific security concerns in Georgia's Russia-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have been in focus of the 54th round of the Geneva International Discussions which took place on October 12 and 13.