France considers Russian-occupied Tskhinvali elections “illegal and void”
The Embassy said it reaffirmed its “full support” for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders on the backdrop of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Photo: Embassy of France in Georgia/Facebook
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France considers “illegal and void” the elections held by de facto authorities in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) on Sunday, the Embassy of France in Georgia said on Tuesday.
The Embassy said it reaffirmed its “full support” for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders on the backdrop of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
Any elections or decisions taken in the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia that violate Georgia's territorial integrity are contrary to international law and will be considered illegal and void by France,” the statement said.
The diplomatic office also stressed France’s support for Georgia to “help build a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus.”
De facto authorities in Tskhinvali organised so-called presidential elections on Sunday, with the incumbent de facto president Anatoly Bibilov running for a second term.
NATO does not recognise the legitimacy of the elections which took place on Sunday in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), Javier Colomina, the NATO Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, said on Monday.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the so-called presidential elections held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on Sunday, saying it was “another illegal act” by Russia aimed against Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The illegitimate presidential elections in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and a referendum for the region to join the Russian Federation, were on Friday called a “sham” by United States Senator Chris Coons.
Moldova does not recognise the validity of the so-called “elections” set to take place in the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region of Georgia on Sunday, the Moldovan foreign office said on Friday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia on Monday condemned the second round of the so-called “Presidential elections” held on Sunday in the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, pointing out the “illegal action” violated the fundamental principles and norms of the international law and Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
United States Senator Jim Risch on Monday condemned the second round of the so-called “Presidential elections” held on Sunday in the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.
The de facto president of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on Friday announced the territory would hold a referendum on July 17 on whether to become part of Russia.
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on Wednesday the European Union would consider the intended referendum in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on joining Russia “illegal” and not recognise it.