Georgia's Foreign Ministry: Russia puts itself above international law

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in Tbilisi
Agenda.ge, 15 Mar 2015 - 14:33, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgia is blaming Russia for its "deliberate affront” to the international community and the peace process.

Head of the Georgian delegation to the Geneva International Discussions, David Dondua, issued a written statement where he said Georgia received with "grave concern” the news that representatives of the occupied regime in Tskhinvali, one of Georgia’s two breakaway regions, would be welcomed in the Kremlin on March 18 to sign the so called "treaty" on 'Alliance and Integration' with the Russian Federation.

On the same day, the parties will meet in Geneva in the framework of the Geneva International Discussions, and Dondia said this signing would "weigh heavily” on their conversation.

"That our Russian counterparts would let the signing coincide with the 31st Round of discussions in Geneva is a deliberate affront to the co-chairs and the peace process. This is yet another worrying sign of Russia putting itself not only above and beyond international law, but also refusing simple diplomatic decency,” head of the Georgian delegation said.
"Such condescension to their counterparts in mediation, coupled with Russia’s consistently aggressive stance towards its neighbours, must alert our friends and allies, as well as the mediators to the acuteness of the security challenges that Georgia is facing.”

The Geneva International Discussions were launched after the August 2008 war in order to address the consequences of the Russia-Georgia clash. The talks were co-chaired by representatives from the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), while negotiators from Georgia, Russia and the United States, as well as from Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvali were also involved.

Earlier this week, Dondua reached out to the EU Special Representative Herbert Salber to convey his dismay and to request from the co-charis to react firmly to this "demarche” of Moscow.

"The treaties the Russian Federation signs with Sokhumi and Tskhinvali have no standing in international law,” Dondua said.

He noted the international community was well aware of Georgia’s position, that these so called "treaties” heralded factual annexation of these territories into Russia’s social, economic, administrative and – importantly – military and security mechanisms.

Meanwhile Georgia called on the co-chairs to intensify their efforts in urging Russia to reciprocate publicly and clearly to Georgia’s unilateral pledge never to use force in and around Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

Dondua stressed that this commitment was a part of Russia’s obligations under the August 12, 2008 Ceasefire Agreement.

He also call on his counterparts in Europe and beyond to urgently address the need for comprehensive international security arrangements that would enhance stability in the region.

Dondua stressed Georgia remained committed to the Geneva International Discussions, which represented the only platform between Georgia and Russia mediated by international organisations.

"We are open to seeking specific, tangible solutions in a calm and constructive manner with all other participants. We call upon the Russian participants to respect their international obligations with the same degree of professionalism and responsibility.”