The permanent representatives of Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States to the United Nations released a joint statement on the eleventh anniversary of 2008 Russia-Georgia war.
UNSC – Stake-out:
— Belgium UN New York (@BelgiumUN) August 8, 2019
11 years since August 2008 Georgia-Russia war:
EU6 ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? & USA ???????? reiterate their full support for Georgia’s sovereignty& territorial integrity. Regret lack of progress & call on Russia to fully implement its obligations under agreements of 2008. pic.twitter.com/ZZvdEtOiYy
Karen Van Vlierberge, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium to UN read out the statement on behalf of other Security Council members.
We firmly support Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders”, she stated.
Ambassador Van Vlierberge also underscored that Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region and "the deepening of its security relationship with both de facto authorities demonstrate a lack of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors and for the rules-based international order”.
Today,statement was delivered @UNHQ by @VanVlierberge on behalf of BE,FR,DE,PL,GB & US, & incoming #UNSC member #Estonia, on #Georgia.We regret little progress on conflict resolution & firmly support GE’s territorial integrity.We call on #Russia to implement IntlLaw obligations. pic.twitter.com/q1bfXkwPxT
— Estonia in UN ???????? (@EstoniaUN) August 8, 2019
The UN Ambassadors said that they “are extremely concerned about the intensification of the so-called borderisation process”. They consider that “these acts prolong the conflict, while destabilising Georgia and the region as a whole”.
Therefore, they again called on Russia “to fully implement” its international obligations, which includes commitments:
7 August 2019 marked 11 years since conflict between Russia & #Georgia
— La France à l'ONU (@franceonu) August 8, 2019
At Security Council stake out, ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????reaffirm support to Georgia’s independence, sovereignty & territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders pic.twitter.com/p8ZKMQpUHb
They also reiterate their support “for the respect and protection of the human rights of IDPs and refugees in particular with regard to their voluntary, safe, dignified and unhindered return to their homes in accordance with international law”.
At #UNSC stakeout, ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? jointly express support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty & territorial integrity. All parties are encouraged to redouble their efforts within the Geneva International Discussions.
— German Mission to UN (@GermanyUN) August 8, 2019
???? Full statement: https://t.co/R7W3Ge3Hc0#GERinUNSC pic.twitter.com/JWbiX7Yp5W
The statement further underscores that the topic of refugees and IDPs “is at the core of the mandate of the Geneva International Discussions”. However, “despite the initial promise of progress towards reconciliation, we regret the lack of commitment and progress achieved in this format”.
Joint press stake-out by ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? following #UNSC consultations to mark 11 yrs since the conflict between #Russia & #Georgia: We firmly support Georgia’s independence, sovereignty & territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
— Poland in the UN (@PLinUN) August 8, 2019
Full statement ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Y7Si7VYSx6
The ambassadors call on the authorities “exercising effective control” over the two Russian occupied regions of Georgia “to facilitate access to these regions for the relevant humanitarian and human rights actors”.
They“remain steadfast” in their support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia and encourage all parties “to redouble their efforts within the Geneva International Discussions”.
On the 11th Anniversary of the Russia-Georgia conflict, #AmbCohen stands with #UNSC members to urge Russia to withdraw its forces from the occupied territories, halt #HumanRights violations of citizens in this region, and work towards a peaceful #resolution of the conflict. pic.twitter.com/93hTo5jmXp
— US Mission to the UN (@USUN) August 8, 2019
August 8, 2008 is the most tragic day in the recent history of Georgia when the five-day war between Russia and Georgia claimed the lives of 412 people, including 170 military servicemen, 14 policemen and 228 civilians.
Georgian national flags were flying at half-mast on August 7 and 8 on all government buildings across the country as well as on diplomatic missions abroad.