10 years since the Russia-Georgia war: several high-ranking guests arrive in Tbilisi today

Several high-ranking guests from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine will arrive in Georgia today to participate in events dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

The remainder will come to Tbilisi tomorrow to meet with the Georgian president, prime minister and parliament chair and participate in a round table discussion organised by Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

10 years ago #Russia invaded the independent state of #GeorgiaFM #Czaputowicz during press briefing: FMs of @LinkeviciusL, of @edgarsrinkevics , and myself are going to Georgia to commemorate the war’s victims and to show our solidarity with the People of pic.twitter.com/wNiTuUcc8K

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@PolandMFA) August 6, 2018

Foreign Ministers of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, vice prime ministers of Ukraine and Estonia will visit Khurvaleti village tomorrow, at the occupation line between Georgia and its occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.

The main topic of the round table will be ‘Peace and Security – 10 Years Since the Russia-Georgia War’.

Throughout 10years of Russia's aggression&occupation of 2 #GEO regions, we have demonstrated firm determination towards peaceful conflict resolution. We should remain united&send a message that Russia must stop its aggressive policy&respect GEO's sovereignty&territorial integrity pic.twitter.com/uGyMCYOJWy

— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) August 6, 2018

Challenges facing peace and security in Europe will be discussed within the format of a round table talk. Special attention will be paid to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region. Talking points will also include the Russia-Georgia conflict, the severe humanitarian situation in Georgia’s occupied territories and the Georgian government’s peace policy,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported.

The initiative of visiting Georgia on the 10th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war was put forward by Lithuania and Poland.

Consequences of Russian aggression in 2008 in Georgia include:

• Human loss: 412 killed on the Georgian side – including 170 military servicemen, 14 policemen and 228 civilians.
• 1,747 wounded on the Georgian side – including 973 military servicemen, 227 policemen and 547 civilians.
• Three journalists killed, six journalists wounded.
• 130, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) – out of which 26,000 are still denied the right of return. [Overall, the number of IDPs from both occupied regions is now close to half a million].
• 35,000 houses burned, ruined and destroyed.
• 125 more villages have been occupied since the August 2008 war.