Georgia’s Foreign Ministry condemns Russia-Abkhazia military agreement

Georgia is concerned by Russia’s aggressive actions in Georgia’s breakaway regions, specifically the recent signing of a military cooperation agreement with de facto Abkhazia, which was a blatant violation of international law and a threat to regional security. 

Today the Foreign Ministry of Georgia revealed the Russian Federation and western Georgia’s Sokhumi occupation regime signed another military cooperation document on November 26, 2015.

The Georgian side condemned the deal, which outlined the creation of a joint group of armed forces.

Abkhazia is an integral part of Georgia and does not represent an independent subject of international law, therefore any attempt to sign an ‘agreement’ with the region is a gross violation of international law and constitutes an illegal action devoid of legal consequences,” read the Georgian Foreign Ministry’s statement. 

The Ministry believed this was another case of "Russian provocation on Georgian soil” which threatened the security of Georgia and the wider region.

The Ministry recalled the so-called treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia, and stressed that these actions displayed Russia’s "complete disregard” for its international obligations and the fundamental principles of international law. 

The so-called treaty was initiated by Russia at the end of last year and came into force in early 2015.

Having signed these documents, Russia, despite the Georgian Government's repeated calls, once again infringed the provisions of the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement that is of particular concern given the absence of international mechanisms in the occupied regions and Russia's persistent refusal to undertake the non-use of force pledge,” said Georgia’s Foreign Ministry. 

The Georgian side urged the international community to give due assessment to Russia's illegal actions and take appropriate measures to prevent a further escalation of the fragile security situation in the region.

Meanwhile Abkhazian news agency Sputnik-Abkhazia.ru wrote that by the end of 2018 a special site would be arranged in Abkhazia where the joint Russian-Abkhazian armed forces could train. 

In an interview for the news agency, de facto Abkhazia’s Defence Minister Merab Kishmaria said the agreement was in the best interests of Abkhazia, as it "lacked trained soldiers and necessary military equipment to defend itself in case of any attack from Georgia”. 

Russia recognised Georgia’s de facto regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent republics after the Russia-Georgia war in 2008.