Putin appoints new representative for border delimitation, demarcation with Georgia and its Russia-occupied regions
Mikhail Petrakov has replaced Igor Bratchikov on the position of a special representative of Russian president on delimitation and demarcation of borders with the CIS member states. He will also lead negotiations on the Caspian Sea.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Mikhail Petrakov his special representative for border delimitation and demarcation with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, as well as Georgia and its Russia-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
Putin signed the order yesterday. In response, the Georgian foreign ministry said that no border delimitation and demarcation between Georgia and Russia can be raised on the agenda until Russia occupies Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.
The Georgian foreign ministry calls on Russia to respect the fundamental norms of international law, withdraw its forces from the Georgian territory and ensure its eventual de-occupation.
Naturally, any agreement made by the Russian Federation with the occupying forces of Tskhinvali and Sokhumi, including on the so-called border, lacks any legal grounds and is illegal”, Foreign ministry spokesperson Mari Narchemashvili has said.
She further noted that any such action will be recognised by the international community as yet another attempt to violate Georgia’s sovereignty.
Russia has occupied two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali for over 12 years now. Photo: NIno Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Russia recognised the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
Since then only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised the regions as independent states.
The rest of the international community is unanimous in that the regions are occupied by Russia and call on the country to leave the Georgian territory.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has urged the residents of the Russia-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions to follow recommendations of the World Health Organization, saying that the Georgian government is ready help them prevent the spread of COVID-19 if the need arises.
De facto President of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region Aslan Bzhania says that the creation of a common defence and security system with Russia ‘is a primary goal for Abkhazia.’
Georgia has condemned the adoption of a plan to create a common socio-economic space between Russia and the Russian-occupied Abkhazia region of Georgia which comes after the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and De-facto President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania on November 12.
Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, UK, US, Ireland and Norway have expressed support for Georgia following the UN Security Council’s online meeting yesterday, which discussed developments since the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.The countries condemned Russia’s occupation of Georgian territories, creeping occupation, the illegal detention of Georgian citizens and other unlawful activities by the Russian-controlled occupation forces over the past 12 years.
The US Ambassador to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has stated that Russia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Georgian territories ‘while supporting or systematically ignoring abuses of Georgian citizens living in or near Georgia’s Russian-occupoied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.