Slovakia condemns “border treaty” between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region

Slovakia is voicing concern about the signing of a so-called border treaty between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (also known as South Ossetia).

"The signing of the "Agreement on State Frontier” between Russia and the breakaway, internationally unrecognized "republic” of South Ossetia on 18 February 2015 is in sharp contrast with the effort for stabilization of the security situation in the region that has been in progress under the so-called Geneva Discussions,” read a statement published on Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry’s website.

The Slovakian side said the conclusion of this agreement interfered with the sovereignty of Georgia and "grossly violated” the country’s territorial integrity.

"The agreement is in conflict with international law and with the commitments the Russian Federation has entered into,” said the statement.

"The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic has repeatedly expressed support from the Slovak Republic for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.”

The de facto Foreign Minister of breakaway Tskhinvali region and Russia’s Foreign Minister signed a "border treaty” on February 18 in Moscow.

This came one day after Russia voiced its initiative to remove its border with Abkhazia, Georgia’s other breakaway region.

Tbilisi and the wider global community condemned Russia’s attempts to remove the border between itself and Georgia’s breakaway regions and said this action was a "violation of international law”.