Tbilisi: "Changing name for Tskhinvali region aims to lay ground for illegal annexation"
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia condemns the so-called presidential elections and referendum that are being held today in the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), Georgia.
The Ministry said in a statement that holding the so-called referendum on changing the name of one of the oldest Georgian regions into "Republic of South Ossetia — State of Alania”, that is similar to one of the federal subjects of the Russian Federation, aims at laying the ground for its illegal annexation.
Statement of the MFA of #Georgia on the so-called elections& referendum in occupied #Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia https://t.co/ksKWvkOAZM
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) April 9, 2017
"This intention has been vividly demonstrated also by recently signed so-called agreement on incorporation of the unlawful military units of the Tskhinvali region into the armed forces of the Russian Federation”, the Ministry said.
"By such provocative actions, the Russian Federation intentionally impedes the efforts of peaceful conflict resolution, including within the Geneva International Discussions and hinders the confidence building between the communities divided by occupation lines”, it added.
The statement also says that according to international law, any so-called elections or referendums in the occupied territories of Georgia are illegal and cannot have any legal effect. It added that this provocative act by the Russian occupying forces grossly violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and represents yet another attempt to legitimise the consequences of several waves of ethnic cleansing, military invasion and ongoing occupation of Georgian regions.
The Ministry appealed to the international community to give a due assessment to the illegal so-called elections and referendum and called upon Russia to respect the fundamental principles of international law and withdraw its military forces from the Georgian territory.
The so-called elections and referendum in breakaway Tskhinvali region were condemned by the global community as well, including the United States and the European Union.
The EU does not recognise the legitimacy of the "presidential elections" and "referendum" planned for tomorrow in Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
US Department of State: "Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia is clear and consistent. These regions are integral parts of Georgia".
Locals of the Russian occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) cannot use the crossing-point between the breakaway region and the rest of Georgia for three days.
European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) Chair Anna Elzbieta Fotyga released a statement today on latest developments in Russian occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili says that any so-called elections or referendum in the occupied territories of Georgia are illegal and cannot have any legal effect.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania has announced that it does not recognise the so-called presidential elections and the referendum on changing the name of Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) that took place yesterday.
NATO does not recognise the so-called presidential elections nor the so-called referendum held in the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) of Georgia this Sunday. NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu released a statement denouncing the illegal elections and referendum this afternoon.
Estonia and Ukraine have announced today they do not recognise the so-called Presidential elections and referendum on amending the name of the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali ( South Ossetia) that took place on April 9.
Locals of the Russian occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) cannot use the crossing-point between the breakaway region and the rest of Georgia for three days.