The US does not recognise the legitimacy of the so-called parliamentary elections held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, conducted on June 9.
Our position on Abkhazia [Georgia’s another Russian-occupied region] and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia. Accordingly, we reiterate our strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” reads the statement released by the US embassy to Georgia earlier today.
The embassy “once again urged” Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions, reversal of its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states, and provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.
.@StateDeptSpox: @SecPompeo will travel to India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on June 24-30. pic.twitter.com/RF2TpljyWS
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 10, 2019
The de facto leadership of Tskhinvali closed the so-called border with Georgia because of the “elections” on June 8, saying to re-open it tomorrow.
Tskhinvali reported that 31,000 voters were registered for the “elections” and polling stations were also opened in Abkhazia and Russia.
Local media says that the party of de facto President of Tskhinvali Anatoly Bibilov, the United Ossetia, is winning the so-called elections.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has stated that the so-called parliamentary elections “blatantly violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.”