FM: Gov’t “peace efforts” continue to end Russian occupation, “rebuild bridges” with Abkhaz and Ossetian compatriots
The war between Russia and Georgia took the lives of 169 servicemembers and professionals of the Ministry of Defence, along with 19 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 224 civilians. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday said the Georgian Government was continuing its peaceful efforts to end the Russian occupation and “rebuild bridges” with Abkhaz and Ossetian compatriots.
In his remarks over the 14th anniversary of the Russian invasion that sparked the five-day war between the two states in 2008 and the ongoing Russian occupation of two Georgian regions, Darchiashvili stressed the country and its citizens were paying tributes to those fallen “for our freedom” in the conflict.
“We pay tribute to those who heroically fell for our freedom. Georgia’s peace efforts continue to end the Russian occupation and rebuild bridges with Abkhaz and Ossetian compatriots”, the top Georgian diplomat tweeted.
Today we mark 14 years after Russia’s military aggression against Georgia. We pay tribute to those who heroically fell for our freedom. Georgia’s peace efforts continue to end #RussianOccupation & rebuild bridges with Abkhaz & Ossetian compatriots.
— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) August 7, 2022
Georgian foreign office on Sunday released a statement on the date, calling on Russia to “cease illegal and provocative steps” against Georgia, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, fulfil its obligations under the European Union-mediated 2008 ceasefire agreement by withdrawing its forces from the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and reverse its illegal decision on recognising their independence.
The war between Russia and Georgia took the lives of 169 servicemembers and professionals of the Ministry of Defence, along with 19 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 224 civilians.
Around 30,000 citizens of Georgia were forced to abandon their homes in the now-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.