Georgia's Foreign Ministry: Russia puts itself above international law
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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.”
Russia is making moves to remove its border with Abkhazia – one of Georgia’s two breakaway regions.
A Kremlin proposed new treaty on ‘Alliance and Integration’ with Georgia’s breakaway region Abkhazia and Russia will be signed by the end of this year, Abkhazia’s de-facto leader Raul Khajimba announced.
The Russian President’s aide Vladislav Surkov in charge of overseeing Moscow’s relations with Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) believes the planned treaty between Moscow and Tskhinvali will be signed early 2015.
The United States (US) says it will not recognise the legitimacy of any treaty between Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region and the Russian Federation.
A Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister David Dondua has departed for Switzerland where the 31st round of the Geneva International Discussions convene on March 17 and 18.
The de facto leaders of Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the Russian Federation will sign a so-called "Treaty on Alliance and Integration” today. The global community is assessing this as "yet another step that goes against ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region”.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and de facto leader of Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) Leonid Tibilov signed a so-called "Treaty on Alliance and Integration” in Moscow today.
A handful of European countries have openly stated they do not recognise the so-called "Treaty on Alliance and Integration” between Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the Russian Federation.
NATO does not recognise the so-called "Treaty on Alliance and Integration” signed between the Russian Federation and Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on 18 March.
The United Kingdom (UK) is pledging to offer €28 million (64.8 million GEL) to Georgia and other Eastern European countries who are facing oppression by Russia.
"The hysterics that occurred in the West and in Tbilisi following signing the treaty on alliance and integration between Russia and Tskhinvali region - is an attempt to bring the situation in the region back to the situation of August 2008.”
The Russian Federation’s claims that Tbilisi’s refusal to stop calling Sokhumi and Tskinvali as "occupied regions”, as well as Georgia’s aspirations towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration are an obstruction towards normalising Russia-Georgia relations, have been slammed by Georgian officials.
Russia must take responsibility for its damaging actions in Georgia and Ukraine, believes Georgian Foreign Minister Tamar Beruachashvili.
Tbilisi has expressed its "extreme concern” and condemned Russia’s military exercises launched on Wednesday in Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).
Official Tbilisi is calling on the international community to adequately assess and respond to Russia’s ongoing defiance against Georgia and its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
A Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister David Dondua is in Switzerland where the 32nd round of the Geneva International Discussions convenes on June 30 and July 1.
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Security issues and humanitarian situation in Russian occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) were discussed at the Geneva International Discussions on March 28-29.