Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region suspends announced referendum on joining Russia
The de facto president Alan Gagloyev issued a decree suspending the process that was initiated on May 13 by the former de facto president Anatoly Bibilov, with the referendum originally planned for July 17.Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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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.
The de facto president Alan Gagloyev issued a decree suspending the process that was initiated on May 13 by the former de facto president Anatoly Bibilov, with the referendum originally planned for July 17.
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 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.
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.
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”.