Georgia says meeting of Russian president, de-facto Abkhaz leader in Sochi violates its sovereignty, territorial integrity
Russia has occupied the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, declaring them as independent states. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Georgian Ambassador to Austria and Vienna-based international organisations Ketevan Tsikhelashvili spoke of the security and human rights situation in the two Russia-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) at the OSCE permanent council session earlier today.
In her address Ambassador Tsikhelashvili denounced the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and de-facto leader of occupied Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania in Sochi as yet further evidence of Russia’s continued violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Tsikhelashvili also spoke of borderisation’, illegal detention of Georgian citizens, their ethnic discrimination and gross violation of their rights, as well as the closure of crossing-points restricting the freedom of movement.
Calling for the immediate release of Zaza Gakheladze who was illegally detained by occupying forces earlier in July, Tsikhelashvili encuraged the international partners to provide additional support to the families living close to the dividing line.
The US Ambassador to OSCE James S. Gilmore also stated that 'Russia’s military invasion of Georgian territory in 2008 violated international law and flouted the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the non-use of force'.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia are a part of Georgia and the future of those citizens will be better as a part of a real country, that country being Georgia. Russia’s provocative actions are an attempt to extend its influence over the occupied territories.https://t.co/0jelTgTm0L
— Ambassador James S. Gilmore III (@USAmbOSCE) November 12, 2020
He said the mission would meanwhile welcome the reestablishment of an OSCE field presence in Georgia ‘capable of operating unhindered across the administrative boundary lines’.
The United Kingdom also 'remains supportive of calls for an OSCE presence in Georgia to increase the OSCE’s engagement in the Geneva International Discussions and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meetings, as well as in the implementation of confidence-building measures'.
The 3 Co-Chairs for the Geneva International Discussions on the conflict in #Georgia ???????? briefed #OSCE today.
— UK Delegation OSCE (@UKOSCE) November 12, 2020
???????? reaffirms its unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty & territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
Statement: https://t.co/eMPjDcyDBV pic.twitter.com/fpNj3liwnp
Deputy head of the UK Delegation Nicola Murray reiterated the UK’s 'unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders' as well.
Like the majority of the international community, the UK continues to follow a policy of non-recognition of the self-declared independence of the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia". Murray said.
Russia’s support for this so called independence demonstrates a clear lack of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbour and for the rules based international system", he added.
The statements followed the report of the co-chairs of Geneva International Discussions (GIDs) from the European Union, United Nations and OSCE, Toivo Klaar, Cihan Sultanoğlu and Rudolf Michalka on the situation in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.