Georgian Reconciliation Minister says Tskhinvali crossing points should reopen
Minister Tsikhelashvili said earlier today that the closure of crossing points connecting the occupied region with the rest of Georgia holds peaceful population hostage. Photo: Facebook of the State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality
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State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said restrictions on the freedom of movement in occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) should be lifted.
Minister Tsikhelashvili said that the closure of crossing points connecting the occupied region with the rest of Georgia holds peaceful population hostage.
She also added that all the available formats are being used to solve the “critical humanitarian issue”, including the Geneva International Discussions.
De facto President of Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region Anatoly Bibilov stated earlier this week that he is against the reopening of crossing points which have been closed since September 2019.
During his recent meeting with Russian so-called border guards Bibilov said that the crossing points will reopen “only after Tbilisi removes the police post from the village of Chorchana.”
De facto President of Georgia’s Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region Anatoly Bibilov has stated that he is against the reopening of crossing points with the rest of Georgia which have been closed since September 2019 and which has created a severe humanitarian situation on the ground.
The de facto security committee of the Russia-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) announced the temporary closure of its Karzmani crossing point connecting the occupied region with the rest of Georgia.
The de facto Tskhinvali government has announced the closure of two crossing points with the rest of Georgia, saying the reason is an ‘escalation of tension at certain sections of the border with Georgia.’The so-called security committee of Tskhinvali has accused Tbilisi of sparking the tension, stating that the crossing points will reopen when the tension fades.
The Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) Erik Hoeg said the recent decision of de facto Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) officials to close the so-called border with the rest of Georgia is “negatively affecting local communities” on both sides of the occupation line.
The State Security Service of Georgia reported today that the occupation forces have erected illegal installations in the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality in the region of Shida Kartli, close to the Russia-occupied Tskhinvali region.
De facto authorities of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region has temporarily opened the crossing point between occupied Akhalgori district and the rest of Georgia for pensioners only after an almost five-month closure, which has created a severe humanitarian situation on the ground. Local civic activist Tamar Mearakishvili reports that the crossing point opened earlier today for pensioners “whose only income is the pension issued by the central government” of Georgia.