US, EU do not recognise Russia-Tskhinvali region “treaty”
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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”.
The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) issued special statements, where they reiterated their firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
"The United States’ position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia [Georgia’s other breakaway region] remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia, and we continue to support Georgia’s independence, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity,” said Jen Psaki, US Department of State Spokesperson in her March 17 statement.
She noted the US did not recognise the legitimacy of any so-called "treaty” between the de facto leaders of the Tskhinvali region and Russia.
"Neither this agreement nor the one signed between Russia and the de facto leaders in Abkhazia in November 2014 constitutes a valid international agreement,” she said.
The US stated Russia needed to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, and provide free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.
Meanwhile the EU said the announced signature by the Russian Federation of a so-called "Treaty on Alliance and Integration” with Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia would be "yet another step that goes against ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region”.
"Furthermore, the signature of this document on the very day of the 31st round of Geneva International Discussions creates circumstances that do not foster a constructive climate for efforts to improve the security and humanitarian situation on the ground,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in her statement.
She added: "Like previous agreements signed between Russia and the two Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, this "treaty" – which includes references to a transfer of powers in some areas – clearly violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles of international law and the international commitments taken by the Russian Federation, including the 12 August 2008 Agreement and its Implementing Measures of 8 September 2008 and has no legal standing.”
Both the EU and the US said they continued to support the Geneva International Discussions as a means to achieving concrete progress on security and humanitarian issues that continue to impact the communities on the ground in Georgia.
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.
Georgia is blaming Russia for its "deliberate affront” to the international community and the peace process.
A proposal to sign a closer cooperation treaty between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Tskinvali region (South Ossetia) will soon be submitted to the Russian President for review.
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.
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.
Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland have joined other European countries to openly state they do not recognise the so-called "Treaty on Alliance and Integration” between Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and the Russian Federation.
"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.
“Referendum for Tskhinvali to join Russia has no legal power”
Georgia’s top official on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration strongly condemns a planned referendum in Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region about the de facto area joining Russia.
Georgia strongly condemns the recent ratification of an agreement between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region to establish and mark the state border around the occupied territory.
Russian news agency TASS reported an agreement allowing South Ossetian military to serve in the Russian Armed Forces was expected to be signed by the end of 2016.
The OSCE Permanent Council disapproves of the decision of de facto Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) authorities to hold a referendum in Georgia’s breakaway region.