Georgian occupied Tskhinvali region eager to open Damascus “embassy”

The Georgian occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region has plans to open a so-called embassy in Damascus Syria, after the latter became the fifth worldwide to recognise Tskhinvali as an independent state in May 2018.

We are eager to strengthen political and economic ties with Syria,” de facto President of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) Anatoly Bibilov stated at a business forum being held in the occupied Crimea of Ukraine, organised by Russia, Tskhinvali media reports.  

Bibilov and the members of the Syrian government mentioned obstacles for economic partnership related to “customs issues,” however, vowed they would be overcome.

Only Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised the two occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent states in the wake of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.

The central Georgian government suspended diplomatic ties with Syria immediately after it recognised the occupied regions as independent republics.

The international community condemned the step by Syria and stated that the decision was influenced by Russia.