EU Delegation says ‘erection of fences’ in Gugutiantkari should stop
The European Union Dellegation to Georgia released a statement in agreement with EU Heads of Mission in Georgia. Photo: Erik Hoeg/Twitter
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“The erection of fences by de-facto authorities of South Ossetia backed by Russian border guards in the vicinity of Gugutiantkari village hinders freedom of movement and will deprive people from the local area from accessing orchards and water resources”, the European Union Delegation to Georgia stated.
Statement of the EU Delegation to Georgia in agreement with EU Heads of Mission in Georgia on borderisation activities in the area of Gugutiantkari village ➡️ https://t.co/m9AW1DAD1N pic.twitter.com/CJ4xlJ4aHk
— EU Delegation Georgia (@EUinGeorgia) August 20, 2019
The statement was made in agreement with EU Heads of Mission in Georgia yesterday.
The EU Delegation said that “it is crucial that this work is stopped and that all relevant actors make active use of the existing mechanisms for communication”, including hotline and Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) format.
The European Union remains engaged and involved in stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, including by continuing its engagements as co-chair in the Geneva discussions, the efforts of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (EUSR), and the continued presence on the ground of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM)”, the EU Delegation stated.
It further underscored that the European Union will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
'Borderisation' in Gugutiantkari has left two residential houses beyond the so-called border. Photo: Georgian Foreign Ministry
Russian occupation forces started erection of artificial barriers in the village of Gugutiantkari, in Gori Municipality close to occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on August 7.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has called on the Russian Federation “to immediately stop its illegal activities” and withdraw its forces from the Georgian territory to ensure “sustainable peace and security” on ground.
A number of countries, including the United States, have condemned "borderisation" in Georgia and reiterated their support to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze visited Gugutiantkaro last night to familiarise with the problems of the local population on ground.
Eight Georgian citizens who were detained near the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region for “illegally crossing the border” on August 17 and 18 have been released. The Georgian Interior Ministry official Vazha Siradze said all of them feel safe and will soon return to their families.
Russian occupation forces have reappeared in the vicinity of the recently erected ‘border’ at Gori Municipality, in the village of Gugutiantkari. They resumed working after they took photos of the EUMM observers and Georgian officials that are on the other side of the occupation line.
The Russian occupation forces have returned to the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality and continue to erect a so-called ‘border’ started on August 7. Gori Municipality Mayor Konstantine Tavzarashvili visited the area and stated all state agencies are working to stop the illegal ‘borderisation’ process.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry is concerned by reports that the locals of the village of Akhalubani, in Gori Municipality, have been kidnapped near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) yesterday. It, therefore, calls on the international community to take “effective measures to stop illegal activities of the occupation forces”.
The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said "borderisation" in the vicinity of the village of Gugutiantkari, in Gori Municipality, close to occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region "must stop immediately".
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said the Russian occupation is “the most harmful challenge” for Georgia, therefore, this issue should unite every Georgian citizen, despite their political preferences. Mamuka Bakhtadze responded to journalists’ questions in the Georgian Black Seaside town of Batumi on August 21.
Occupying forces illegally detained a Georgian citizen from the vicinity of the village of Gugutiantkari, in Gori Municipality close to occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region yesterday, the State Security Service of Georgia has announced.