NATO liaison office condemns military deal between Russia and occupied Tskhinvali
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Head of the NATO liaison office in Georgia William Lahue has condemned the integration of troops of the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) with the Russian Armed Forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved of an agreement reached two years ago between Russia and de-facto authorities in Tskhvinali on March 14, which which allows military personnel from Georgia’s breakaway region of Tskhinvali to serve in the Russian army.
The deal was supposed to be concluded by the end of March between the Russian government and de-facto South Ossetian officials.
Lahue also emphasised that Russia's policy recognising South Ossetia as a state, is illegal.
This policy is not recognised by the international community, the United Nations nor NATO member countries. The agreement is a negative step, which shows that Russia is not interested in the peaceful resolution of the problem”, Lahue said.
Georgian President Margvelashvili believes that the deal will not be recognised as valid on the world stage.
Margvelashvili further thinks that Russia’s steps are in response to a policy of nonrecognition used by Georgia and the rest of the world.
Last year Russia’s parliament ratified an illegal military cooperation agreement with Abkhazia - another Georgian region also occupied by Russia.
Russia recognised Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) and the other Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia as independent countries after a military armed conflict with Georgia in 2008.
As of today, only four countries recognise Georgia’s breakaway regions as independent republics; these are Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.
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.
A Georgian delegation will participate in the Geneva International Discussions on March 28-29 where issues pertaining to the Georgia-Russia conflict will be discussed in depth.
The United States State Department Spokesperson has announced that "the United States condemns the Russian Federation's decision to integrate military forces from Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia”, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported yesterday.
Military personnel from Georgia’s breakaway region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) may soon serve in the Russian army.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemns the signing of the so-called agreement to incorporate the unlawful military units in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali with the Russian Armed Forces.
Georgia is one of the closest partners of NATO and immensely contributes to Euro-Atlantic security, says NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Tacan Ildem.
Praising Georgia’s support for NATO in Afghanistan, Head of the NATO Laison Office in Georgia William Lahew said the Georgian soldiers contribute to strengthening the defense capacity of the alliance.
NATO has introduced a new head of mission at the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia. The new head is Rosaria Puglisi, who replaced William Lahue in the role. Puglisi had been deputy head of the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia since April of 2017.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze met with Alexander Vinnikov, the newly-appointed Head of NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, on Tuesday.