Polish Foreign Ministry: borderisation affects population living in the vicinity of the occupation line

The Foreign Ministry of Poland “expresses its concern" over the resumption of the installation of artificial barriers "by Russian-backed de facto authorities in Tskhinvali", in the village of Gugutiantkari, Gori Municipality, near the occupation line.

The process of ‘borderisation’, which has progressed since 2011, severely affects population living in the vicinity of the occupation line. It results in further restrictions of the freedom of movement of people and goods”, the Polish Foreign Ministry stated.

It further notes that “this another illegal action conducted by de facto authorities” of Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) “not only aggravates the already horrible humanitarian situation, but also poses serious threat to security and stability on the ground”.

• EU’s Eyes and Ears on Russia’s Creeping Occupation of Georgia

MFA statement on another act of borderization in Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia ➡️https://t.co/uQ95rEOmrG pic.twitter.com/u9m6wCEYte

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs ???????? (@PolandMFA) August 16, 2019

The Polish Ministry calls upon the Russian Federation to “immediately stop its illegal actions against Georgia and to fulfil all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement”, including: 

1. the withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions
2. the reversal of its recognition of the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia as independent states 
3. granting unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.

Photo: Georgian Foriegn Ministry/Twitter

The occupation forces started erection of so-called border in the village of Gugutiantkari on the eve of the eleventh anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

• Ambassadors visit occupation line, unanimously call on Russia to stop ‘borderisation’ and withdraw its troops

A number of countries including the European Union, United States and United Kingdom have condemned "borderisation" in Georgia, which the Russian Foreign Ministry calls "a myth".

• Two houses end up beyond new ‘border’ erected by Russian occupants

Deputy Speaker of the Swedish parliament Kerstin Lundgren has also joined in other politicians and called on the Russian Federation to withdraw its forces from Georgia. 

So #Russia is rolling out new barb wire inside #Georgia dividing a new village. Condemning. Withdraw from Georgia. https://t.co/4IDYG9Mzmy

— Kerstin Lundgren (@KerstinLundgren) August 15, 2019

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani thanked the international community for "their strong support".

Grateful to our international partners for their strong support in condemning t/illegal erection of artificial barriers by #occupation forces in t/village of #Gugutiantkari. Today representatives of Diplomatic Corps got insights into t/situation on t/ground! pic.twitter.com/Har1dsXso6

— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) August 16, 2019

Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. 

• 11 years since the Russia-Georgia war: Georgian MFA calls on Russia to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity of Georgia

Only Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Syria have joined in Russia's recognition, while the rest of the international community condemns Russia's violation of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.