OSCE Group of Friends reaffirms full support for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity; hold Russia accountable
The Group of Friends of Georgia ‘will continue to raise awareness of the conflict and of developments on the ground, hold Russia accountable for its obligations and commitments, and advocate for the conflict’s peaceful resolution’. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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OSCE Group of Friends of Georgia reaffirms its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The joint statement was delivered on behalf of Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America at the 28th OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting on December 3.
Thirteen years since the Russian Federation’s military invasion of Georgia, we remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia and underline the need for the peaceful resolution of the conflict based on full respect for the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and international law”, the joint statement reads.
It further welcomes Georgia’s compliance with the EU-mediated August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement as well as calls upon Russia ‘to fulfill immediately its clear obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions’.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, who participated in the OSCE ministerial, has thanked the group of friends for their joint statement:
A huge thank you to the Group of Friends of Georgia for their Joint Statement at the #OSCEMC21. Your support is very much appreciated! https://t.co/unov0TReIp
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) December 3, 2021
The group also urges Russia to allow ‘unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and not to impede creation of international security arrangements on the ground’.
Calling on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), the countries reiterate their ‘deep concern over Russia’s military exercises and ongoing military presence’ there.
We condemn Russia’s steps which appear intended to unilaterally establish the Georgia-Russia state border on the segments of the occupied territories and incorporate a part of Aibgha village of Georgia into Krasnodar Krai. We urge Russia to reverse this process. We are also concerned with ongoing work in implementation of the “programme” on creation of a common socio-economic space between the Russian Federation and the Abkhazia region of Georgia as well as the so-called agreement on dual citizenship with the South Ossetia region of Georgia, as another step toward de facto annexation. We condemn the holding of the 2021 Russian State Duma elections in Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia and illegal opening of polling stations, as a blatant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty”, the joint statement further reads.
The group of friends is also concerned over the ethnic discrimination against Georgians residing in Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and abuses, including severe restrictions on rights related to freedom of movement, education, residence and property, particularly in connection with the destruction of the houses of IDPs.
Ambassador of Georgia to the OSCE Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has also tweeted:
The Group of Friends of ???????? at #OSCE Statement delivered at the MC to support my country, urge Russia withdraw its forces from #Georgia's regions, immediately fulfill intl. obligations & comply to ECHR judgement, incl. IDP return. Many thanks to Amb @kaarnadottir & all Friends???? pic.twitter.com/4PCYhaSpmR
— Keti Tsikhelashvili (@TsikhelashviliK) December 3, 2021
Condemning the decision to replace instruction in Georgian language with Russian in schools of the ethnic-Georgian-inhabited Gali district of the Abkhazia region, they call on those in control to enable full and unhindered access by international human rights organisations to the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
We are particularly concerned over the ongoing installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the administrative boundary lines (ABLs) of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions, and by the closure of so-called ABL crossing points in the South Ossetia region of Georgia for over 2 years. Isolation and continuous restrictions on freedom of movement have destabilised the situation on the ground and severely impacted the security, safety, well-being, and humanitarian conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas, particularly in Akhalgori district, where reports suggest the local population suffers from shortages of medicine and food, and is denied access to pensions and essentials, including the free healthcare services available in Georgian Government controlled territory. This creates a risk for further depopulation of the Akhalgori district”, the Group of Friends note.
Remaining ‘deeply concerned by ongoing arbitrary detentions around the ABLs’ they call for the ‘immediate and unconditional release’ of Irakli Bebua and all those under arbitrary detention, as well as condemn the killing of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria, and Davit Basharuli, and urge Russia to remove any obstacles to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The group of friends welcomes the decision of the government of Georgia to launch a multi-stakeholder process for developing a comprehensive “State Strategy for de-occupation and peaceful conflict resolution,” as well as the launch of the strategic review of the reconciliation and engagement policy and ‘A Step to a Better Future’ peace initiative.
During the ministerial FM Zalkaliani has met with his counterparts, including the United States Secretary Antony Blinken:
Had an opportunity to exchange views W ???????? @SecBlinken within the #OSCEMC21. Once again highlighted ????????-???????? strategic p'ship & I expressed gratitude for support of ???????? in #NATO, as well as other int'l formats. Reiterated readiness to work for enhancing our strategic p'ship even more. pic.twitter.com/IXF7p7xrNC
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) December 2, 2021
The group of friends of Georgia ‘will continue to raise awareness of the conflict and of developments on the ground, hold Russia accountable for its obligations and commitments, and advocate for the conflict’s peaceful resolution’.
‘Russia’s actions are too aggressive towards its neighbours – Ukraine and Georgia”, NATO Deputy Secretary General for Defense and Police, Patrick Turner, said at a meeting of the Bucharest Nine (B9) Foreign Ministers in Tallinn on October 27.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has responded to the recent statement of Russian FM Sergey Lavrov on preparedness to restore relations with Georgia, stating that Georgia ‘has many times heard’ such messages from Russia and they are not trustworthy until Russia withdraws its troops from the Georgian territory. She said that Russia ‘has taken no steps so far’ to de-occupy Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.
Russia says it is ready to restore relations with Georgia ‘to the extent Georgia is ready for this,’ expressing hope that ‘common sense will prevail in Tbilisi’ and it will start developing relations with its currently Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions ‘as independent states.’
Georgia has won the 2008 war case against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The court released its judgement earlier today which says that Russia violated several articles of the European Convention on Human rights during the conflict and carried out ethnic cleansing of Georgians. The court said that Russia is carrying out an effective control of Georgia’s Tskhinvali and Abkhazia regions and is responsible for the violation of human rights of Georgian citizens.