PM Representative, Russian official discuss intended referendum on Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region joining Russia
Abashidze told Karasin the Georgian Government “negatively assessed” the so-called referendum, set by the de facto authorities in the region for July 17. Photo: 1tv.ge
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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.
Abashidze told Karasin the Georgian Government “negatively assessed” the so-called referendum, set by the de facto authorities in the region for July 17.
We discussed the so-called referendum [in Tskhinvali region]. I conveyed to him the negative attitude of Tbilisi [the Georgian Government] toward this process. Karasin acknowledged the negative reaction of the Georgian Government. He also said Moscow was not involved in any activity related to the referendum,” Abashidze 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.
Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on Wednesday the EU would consider the intended referendum “illegal” and not recognise it.
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.
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.
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.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday said he hoped the recently announced referendum for Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region to join Russia would “not have a continuation”.
Zurab Abashidze, the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative in Relations with Russia, on Wednesday confirmed he had held a prone conversation with Grigory Karasin, the Chair of Russia’s Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, last year over topics of traffic on the border crossing between the countries, explaining the discussion following the release of its recording by the anonymous YouTube channel Cyber Kmara.
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.