European aid for families near occupation line

Seventy seven families of Ghogheti, a village near the occupation line of Georgia’s Shida Kartli region, have received European humanitarian aid.

Georgia’s EU Ambassador Philip Dimitrov and Simone Wolken from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees brought vital basic aid to Ghogheti residents today.

"I understand your needs are wide while our help is modest, but we want to underline that we oppose whatever they do. We are against moving borders and barb-wiring,” Dimitrov told the locals.

He said he realized how much these activities had worsened the villagers living conditions. That was why the EU tried to ease their troubles.

"You are strong enough to stand this,” the EU Ambassador said.

Dimitrov commented on the fact that the Russians shifted the boundary zone by 11 kilometers on the Psou River, near Gagra in the town of Abkhazia - a breakaway territory of Georgia.

It was believed this had been done because of security measures in relation to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

"This appears to be a temporary activity. However this influences the Georgian territory. This could cause a lot of problems but we will probably discuss this issue later some time. You know that we have always supported Georgia’s unity and we are not happy with these kind of developments,” Dimitrov stated.

Wolken said the UN would continue to financially help the vulnerable near the occupational line.