Forza Italia party distances itself from member-initiated conference on self-determination of Russian-occupied Abkhazia

Italian political party Forza Italia released a statement on Wednesday in response to its member Matteo Dall'Osso’s initiating a press conference around “self-determination” of the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia, saying the event had been a “strictly personal initiative” of the MP and noting it “reflects neither the position of Italy nor of Forza Italia.” 

In the statement, Valentino Valentini, the vice president of Forza Italia’s parliamentary group also said the party “firmly supports” Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the country’s foreign policy, adding “[we] do not recognise the de facto authorities of the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, nor their representatives, with whom we do not consider it advisable to have contacts.”

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia also responded to the issue, affirming Italy “strongly supports” Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and adding “the official Rome has repeatedly issued an official statement condemning the illegal activities of the occupation regimes on Italian territory.”

The ministry also highlighted the Dall'Osso’s known close contacts with representatives of the occupation regime, noting “he has so far actively participated in the provocative actions of the regime.”

This step of the politician will be followed by a corresponding reaction from the official Rome,” Georgian MFA added.

The online press conference yesterday featured Aslan Bzhania, the de-facto president of the Russian-occupied Abkhazia, who delivered a speech for the event.