EU High Representative Borrell: EU considers intended referendum on Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region joining Russia “illegal”
Following a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday, Borrell said he shared the concern of the Georgian Government about the referendum, set by the de facto authorities in the region for July 17. Photo: Reuters
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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.
Following a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday, Borrell said he shared the concern of the Georgian Government about the referendum, set by the de facto authorities in the region for July 17.
We discussed the situation in the separatist regions [of Georgia]. We share the concern of the Prime Minister about this referendum that we will consider illegal and we will not recognise. We will continue supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia,” the EU official said.
On May 13, the de facto President of Tskhinvali announced the territory would hold the referendum on whether to become a part of the Russian Federation.
On April 1, United States Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said the US would not recognise the results of any effort by “Russia or its proxies” to “divide sovereign Georgian territory”.
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.
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 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.
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 intended referendum of the de facto authorities in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on the territory joining Russia was discussed on Wednesday in a phone call between Zurab Abashidze, the Special Representative of the Georgian Prime Minister for Relations with Russia, and Grigory Karasin, the Chair of the International Committee of the Russian Federation Council.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a federal law ratifying an agreement on dual citizenship for residents of Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Monday described Georgia as a “very important country” ahead of a meeting of the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg later today.
The de facto president of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on Monday suspended a previously announced referendum on whether it should become a part of Russia until "consultations" with Moscow were complete.