US Ambassador to OSCE: ‘There is no territory of South Ossetia. It is an occupied part of Georgia’
Russia has been particularly active in its 'borderisation' activities during the coronavirus pandemic, placing barbed-wire fences, illegal barriers and so-called anti-fire ploughs at Georgia's Russian-occupied regions. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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United States Ambassador to the OSCE James Gilmore said in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council earlier today that ‘there is no territory of South Ossetia’ as many refer to Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
It is an occupied part of Georgia. That territory is Georgia’s territory… There is no border with South Ossetia. This is all Georgian territory”, he said in Vienna.
In his address, the US Ambassador also said that the United States is ‘deeply troubled’ by reports that Russia-backed entities are continuing the intensive process ‘borderisation’ in 12 villages along the occupation lines of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
There is no territory of #SouthOssetia. It is an occupied part of #Georgia. That territory is Georgia’s territory. A comment was made regarding going to the border of South Ossetia. There is no border with South Ossetia. This is all Georgian territory. https://t.co/11Jl6ysdDA pic.twitter.com/cUTOA3OmOF
— Ambassador James S. Gilmore III (@USAmbOSCE) May 28, 2020
Therefore, Gilmore said, the US calls for ‘an immediate halt’ to the construction or reinforcement of any structures, fencing, signs, or barriers aimed to strengthen or expand the ‘borderisation’.
These activities constitute one more in a series of attempts by Moscow since 2008 to seize Georgian territory”, Gilmore said.
He then called on Russia to end its occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory, withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
We call for a halt to construction/reinforcement of structures, fencing, signs, or barriers intended to strengthen or expand the “borderization” of administrative boundary lines. These activities constitute attempts by Moscow to seize #Georgian territory. https://t.co/tVaQHKFcDA pic.twitter.com/sLaVyk3Fqq
— Ambassador James S. Gilmore III (@USAmbOSCE) May 28, 2020
The delegation of the United Kingdom to the OSCE also expressed concern about Russia's continuing ‘borderisation’ activities in Georgia.
Today at #OSCE, we reiterated our concern about the continuing “borderisation” activities within #Georgia by Russia & the de-facto authorities of breakaway regions of Abkhazia & South Ossetia.
— UK Delegation OSCE (@UKOSCE) May 28, 2020
???????? remains unwavering in our support for ????????'s sovereignty & territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/2ajd0CaPy6
The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced last week that Russia has been particularly active in 'borderisation' during the coronavirus pandemic, placing barbed-wire fences, illegal barriers and so-called anti-fire ploughs at both occupied regions.