Foreign dignitaries have refused to recognise the so-called presidential elections in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on April 10, reaffirming support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The US Embassy in Georgia said the United States did not recognise the legitimacy of the elections and would not acknowledge their outcome.
Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia. No “elections” or a priori illegitimate “referendum” calling for incorporation of South Ossetia into Russia can change this,” they wrote.
The U.S. Embassy Statement on de facto “elections” in Georgia’s South Ossetia Region https://t.co/WMpQyKuw36
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) April 10, 2022
Carl Hartzell, the Ambassador of the European Union in Georgia, said the EU did not recognise “the constitutional and legal framework” in which the so-called elections are being held, adding the Union would continue pursuing the non-recognition policy in regards to Georgia’s breakaway regions.
Remarks by Ambassador Hartzell on the so-called presidential elections in the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia:https://t.co/9KGeFQh6dQ
— EU Delegation Georgia ???????? (@EUinGeorgia) April 10, 2022
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Lithuania did not recognise the so-called elections organised by the occupation regime, reaffirming their support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
#Lithuania ???????? does not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called „presidential elections“ organised under the illegal occupation of Tskhinvali/South Ossetia region of #Georgia ???????? by the Russian Federation. Strong support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.
— Lithuania MFA | #StandWithUkraine (@LithuaniaMFA) April 10, 2022
The Foreign Ministry of Latvia considered the so-called elections as illegal and expressed support for Georgia.
???????? Latvia considers as illegal and does not recognize the so-called “presidential elections” held on 10 April in Georgia’s #Tskhinvali region occupied by Russia. Latvia supports the sovereignty & territorial integrity of #Georgia ???????? within its internationally recognized borders.
— Latvian MFA ???????? | #StandWithUkraine ???????? (@Latvian_MFA) April 10, 2022
Martin Klus, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, also wrote Slovakia did not recognise the so-called elections and reiterated his support for Georgia’s territorial integrity “as recognised by international law.”
Our position is clear: @SlovakiaMFA ???????? does not recognize legitimacy of so-called presidential elections held in Georgian breakaway region of #SouthOssetia on April 10. Reiterate our full support for territorial integrity & sovereignty of #Georgia ???????? as recognized by intl. law. pic.twitter.com/fCrr0Goskl
— Martin Klus (@martin_klus) April 10, 2022
Earlier today, the Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the so-called elections held in de facto Tskhinvali, calling on the international community to “take effective measures” regarding the issue.
The so-called presidential elections in occupied Tskhinvali are being held on Sunday, with incumbent de facto president Anatoly Bibilov running for the second term.