Georgian top officials raise occupation issue at Batumi Defence and Security Conference
Georgian top officials have urged the international community to help Georgia peacefully resolve its conflicts with Russia. Photo: Defence Ministry press office.
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze and Defence Minister Irakli Garibashvili have spoken about the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia at the 13th Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC) earlier today.
Zurabishvili said that the occupation of 20 per cent of Georgian lands by Russia and the creeping occupation “is a daily security challenge for us, which may turn into a more serious conflict anytime.”
She stated that Russia “must be obliged” to fulfill the 2008 ceasefire agreement, and ways for the peaceful resolution of the conflict should be found with the help of the international community.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has tweeted.
The #BlackSea has great potential for economic development as a hub between Asia and Europe and new projects of infrastructure link ???????? more and more to our ???????? partners. But this economic cooperation must be accompanied with more security and strategic defense cooperation. pic.twitter.com/c8EwPLx11T
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) November 6, 2019
Talakvadze stated that “we are sure our partners will send a clear message to Russia that changing borders in Europe with the use of force and aggression is absolutely unacceptable.”
He said that after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the occupation of the Georgian and Ukrainian territories “Russia still remains the biggest security challenge.”
Georgians are well aware of Black Sea security challenges and its role in overcoming these challenges,” Talakvadze said.
Garibashvili stated that “our strength is in our unity inside the country and with our partners.”
He said that the ongoing conference “is expected to be the most successful in terms of its results.”
This is a geostrategic region and the peace and security in the region is of vital importance for many other states,” Garibashvili said.
The conference will end tomorrow.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hopes Georgia can soon be welcomed into NATO, and praises the progress achieved by the country. He also urges Russia to withdraw its forces from Georgian territories.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance may have changed many times, but it has maintained its key value - the commitment of its member nations to protect and defend one another.
Georgian top officials, decision-makers, experts and foreign guests have gathered in Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi to attend the 13th Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC) to discuss current defence and security issues and challenges.The following sessions are scheduled to take place during the two-day conference.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has stated at the international Georgian Defence and Security Conference in Tbilisi today that Georgia’s integration into NATO is the guarantee of peace and security in the country.
US Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who came to Georgia late yesterday to attend the Georgia Defence and Security Conference (GDSC), says that the US Democrats and Republicans have disagreements on various issues but when it concerns Georgia, “we are unanimous.” He spoke about the security challenges coming from Russia during the conference, stating that the US is trying to help the European states “defeat the Russian energy blackmail.”