US, UK ‘deeply concerned’ as Russia continues creeping occupation of Georgian territories
The US once again called on Russia to withdraw its forces from Georgian territory. Photo: AP.
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The US and the UK missions to OSCE say that they are ‘deeply troubled’ by reports that Russian-led security actors have resumed ‘aggressive, intensive borderisation activities’ along the occupation line, near the village of Takhtisdziri, occupied Tskhinvali region.
I am even more alarmed that these actions were undertaken during the Orthodox Easter weekend and against the backdrop of the global pandemic crisis. The posting of so-called border signs on a non-existent border and demands that Georgian security forces vacate the area increase tensions and undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” US Ambassador to OSCE James Gilmore said.
Posting of so-called "border" signs on a non-existent border & demands by de facto authorities that Georgian security forces vacate the area increase tensions & undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. https://t.co/guQCOfTae5@usingeo
— U.S. Mission to OSCE (@usosce) April 23, 2020
Gilmore stated that the US condemns these and all actions by the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) that aggravate tensions and detract from efforts to safeguard the lives and health of local populations.
We call for an immediate halt to the construction of any signs, structures, fencing, or barriers intended to reinforce or expand the illegal ‘borderisation’ of the administrative boundary line”, Gilmore said, adding that Russia’s illegal ‘borderisation’ activities and crossing point closures have a ‘detrimental effect’ on the populations living in Georgia’s occupied territories,” Gilmore said.
Deeply concerned about last week’s creation of “borders” within #Georgia ???????? by Russia & the de facto authorities of South Ossetia.
— UK Delegation OSCE (@UKOSCE) April 23, 2020
These actions only lead to further destabilisation & hardship and have to stop now.
???????? statement delivered at #OSCE: https://t.co/ukbV2DqXN1 pic.twitter.com/udYCiuaqa1
He stated that since September 2019, a number of people have needlessly died because the Russian-led de facto South Ossetian authorities did not allow those Georgian citizens to cross the occupation line to seek medical help.
Gilmore called on Russia to end its illegal occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory and fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions.
He also called on Russia and the de facto authorities to ‘immediately allow’ unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for access for international monitors to the occupied Georgian territories of Tskhinvali and Abkhazia.
A number of foriegn officials have condemned resumption of “borderisation” activities near the village of Takhtisdziri close to the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. The co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions as well as the United States and the European Union have also condemned “borderisation” activities near the village of Takhtisdziri.
The United States is “deeply troubled” by reports that Russian-led security forces have resumed aggressive "borderization" activities near the village of Takhtisdziri close to the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. The European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell also stated that “borderisation” is “completely unacceptable”.
The occupying forces illegally detained a man and his wife living in the village of Khurvaleti near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. Malkhaz Vanishvili, 30, is the grandson of Davit Vanishvili, whose house and agricultural lands are divided in two by occupying forces for several years now.
Incidents of borderisation carried out by occupation forces in central Georgia's Kareli Municipality on Friday have been condemned in responses of the official Tbilisi as "destructive" acts amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Embassy of Japan in Georgia stated yesterday that Japan supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders and the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Georgia has thanked the international community for its firm stance condemning the illegal installations near the village of Takhtisdziri close to the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region. Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia Lasha Darsalia said Russia’s ‘destructive activities’ negatively affect the situation on the ground amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Japan opposes any attempts to change Georgia’s internationally recognised borders, reads the official statement of the Embassy of Japan to Georgia regarding the resumed Russian ‘borderisation’ activities in Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia regions.