US calls for crossing points with breakaway Abkhazia to be reopened

The United States is concerned over the closure of crossing points along the occupation line with Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia, the US Department of State said in a statement.

The State Department said the US is "deeply concerned” by the decision of de facto Abkhaz authorities to close two controlled crossing points along the administrative boundary line of the occupied territory of Abkhazia in Georgia.

The US believes that these closures will further restrict freedom of movement and damage the livelihoods of local residents.

"Actions such as these not only impose humanitarian hardships on the local population, they also erode the trust and confidence of the people and undermine the Geneva International Discussions, which are the recognised mechanism for discussing security-related issues and humanitarian needs of the conflict-affected population”, the State Department said.

"The United States calls for these crossing points to be re-opened, allowing children to attend school and residents to move freely to engage in commerce, visit relatives, and obtain necessary medical services”.

The statement also reaffirmed US support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty within its internationally-recognised borders.

Until now, three crossing-points along the occupation line between Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia were accessible: Enguri Bridge, Nabakevi-Khurcha and Otobaia-Orsantia. After de-facto authorities closed two of these on Sunday morning, now only Enguri Bridge remains open.