Candidate for FM Zalkaliani: Russia has tripled its efforts against Georgia’s territorial integrity

The candidate for Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated in parliament earlier today that Russia, as an occupying country, has tripled its efforts in the international arena against Georgia’s territorial integrity. 

Russia is doing its best to assure the international community that Georgia’s two occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali are independent states. They are trying to assure the world that the situation in Georgia is different from that one in Ukraine and that Georgia must adapt to the reality and recognise Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent countries,” Zalkaliani stated at the joint session of Parliament’s Committee for European Integration, Diaspora and Caucasus Issues and Foreign Issues Committee. 

• Georgian FM: restoring ties with Russia possible only after its forces are withdrawn from Georgian territory

Twenty per cent of Georgian lands are occupied by Russia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

He stated that the major lever Georgia has against Russia’s illegal actions is the consolidation of the international community and their support. 

We have done much for this and our activities should be evaluated per the results the foreign ministry has ensured in this regard,” Zalkaliani said. 

He stated that the central Georgian government is ready for a direct dialogue with de facto authorities and that Russia must not use the force per the 2008 ceasefire agreement with Georgia.