NATO condemns illegitimate elections, referendum in Georgia’s occupied territories
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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.
#NATO doesn’t recognize so-called pres. elections nor referendum in South Ossetia region of #Georgia. My statement: https://t.co/MoTWW9ZvKZpic.twitter.com/vW0oJ3D4sJ
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) April 10, 2017
"Unilateral steps to change the name or status of the region are detrimental to the efforts to find a lasting settlement of the situation in Georgia”, Lungescu said.
The statement added that NATO Allies do not recognise the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia as independent states.
The Alliance reiterated its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.
On April 9 Tskhinvali region held so-called elections to elect a "president” of the breakaway region. A so-called referendum was also held the same day, asking people whether or not they want to change the name of the region to – "Republic of South Ossetia — State of Alania”.
This name will be similar to one of the federal subjects of the Russian Federation.
Tbilisi says these are "provocative acts” that only aim to annex the historically Georgian region.
The global community supports the position Tbilisi has and says that these so-called elections and referendum are illegal and have no 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.
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 Georgia condemns the so-called presidential elections and referendum that are being held today in occupied Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia), Georgia.
The EU does not recognise the legitimacy of the "presidential elections" and "referendum" planned for tomorrow in Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
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.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that the Alliance supports Georgia’s aspirations to become a NATO member.
The Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze will open NATO days in Georgia today, aiming to raise public awareness about the alliance and boost public support for Georgian membership in the organisation.