UK Foreign Minister calls Russia deal with de facto Abkhazia ‘absolutely unacceptable’
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A high official in the government of the United Kingdon (UK) has spoken out against the military deal Russia recently made with Georgia's de facto region Abkhazia.
The UK's Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Alan Duncan, arrived in Georgia earlier today and after his first meeting with the country’s Acting Prime Minister, he stressed the Russia- Abkhazia military deal was "absolutely unacceptable”
Russia must be clearly told that any military deal with Georgia's de facto regions of Abkhazia or Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) is absolutely unacceptable,” Duncan said this morning after his meeting with Georgia's Acting PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
We are here to protect Georgia’s interests,” said Duncan about the recently ratified deal that envisaged creating a joint military unit between Russia and de facto Abkhazia.
UK Foreign Minister met Georgia's Acting Prime Minister this morning in Tbilisi. Photo by the Prime Minister's press office.
The British top official also stressed Russia "had no respect” for other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, which was held within the Georgia-UK dialogue format known as Wardrop Dialogue, the officials mainly discussed trade and economic, and defence-related topics.
The Government of Georgia's press office said the Wardrop Dialogue typically involved discussions on politics, security, defence and economic issues but the topics discussed would be broadened.
The Georgian Government noted closer ties would be established between Georgia and the UK in trade and economic relations.
The meeting highlighted that the UK is a key investor in Georgia,” the Georgian Government's press office said.
The British high official is due to remain in Georgia for two days and visit the occupation line that separates Georgia’s eastern occupied Tskhinvali region from the rest of Georgia, before he leaves the country tomorrow.
The United States Department of State says it "strongly opposes” the ratification of a military deal between Russia and Georgia’s western de facto Abkhazia region on creation of joint troops.
Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has today released a special statement, "strongly condemning” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision yesterday to sign a military deal between Russia and Georgia’s western de facto Abkhazia region on the creation of joint military troops.
Georgia is strongly condemning the ratification of an illegal military deal between Russia and Georgia’s western de facto Abkhazia region that envisages the creation of joint military troops between Russia and the occupied area.
The State Duma of the Russian Federation today ratified the document signed in Moscow last November, outlining the creation of a joint group of armed forces between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region.
James Appathurai, NATO's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia region, says the recently ratified military deal on creation of joint troops between Russia and Georgia’s de facto Abkhazia region contradicts international law.
"When there is a war in Syria, Africa and Aleppo and Georgia-related issues are still voiced in the United Nations Security Council, it’s very important for us,” says Georgian diplomat Kakha Imnadze.
The United Kingdom remains a steadfast supporter of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to support the country in its democratic reforms, says the British Foreign Secretary.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili was the guest of honour at this year's Queen's Birthday Party at the British Embassy in Tbilisi, to honour Queen Elizabeth II.
Georgian top officials have arrived in the UK to attend the Georgia-UK fourth session of dialogue, known as the Wardrop Dialogue, created to enhance ties between the two nations.
The Dialogue was opened today in London by Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry and a UK executive agency, Wilton Park, have signed a memorandum envisaging the joint organization of global and regional discussions and events on issues in focus of the international community.
The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson said defense and security of Georgia as well as trade cooperation are of huge importance "for us and our continent”.
Trade-economic cooperation with Georgia was the main focus of the UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Sir Alan Duncan when he spoke at the opening of the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue yesterday.
The Lord Mayor of London, Andrew Parmley, says Georgia has the best business environment in the region and the UK is ready to enhance trade-economic ties with the country. The mayor stated this in front of representatives of the British business community today.
UK Minister for Europe Sir Alan Duncan told Georgian PM Mamuka Bakhtadze in Tbilisi today that Georgia is a role model for democracy and human rights protection in the region.