NATO Representative calls on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia
In his remarks over the 14th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Georgia that spawned the ongoing occupation of two Georgian regions, NATO official stressed the alliance “strongly” supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. Photo: Javier Colomina/Twitter
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Javier Colomina, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, on Monday called on Russia to meet its international obligations and commitments and withdraw its forces from Georgia’s occupied regions.
In his remarks over the 14th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Georgia that spawned the ongoing occupation of two Georgian regions, NATO official stressed the alliance “strongly” supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
“As reiterated at Madrid Summit, NATO strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, and continues to call on Russia to meet its international obligations and commitments and withdraw its forces from Georgia”, Colomina tweeted.
As reiterated at #MadridSummit, #NATO strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, and continues to call on Russia to meet its international obligations and commitments and withdraw its forces from Georgia
— Javier Colomina (@JavierColominaP) August 8, 2022
Georgian foreign office on Sunday released a statement on the anniversary of the conflict, 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.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday said the Government would “do its best” to ensure "peace, stability and development" of the country's economy.
The Georgian Government has chosen a “peaceful, prudent” policy as the way to restore territorial integrity and unify the country and believes it will definitely achieve the goal, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Monday in connection with 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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday laid wreaths at the memorial for the servicemembers killed in the 2008 war with Russia and reiterated the country and its citizens had experienced “greatest tragedy” in the conflict.
The Helsinki Commission, a United States Government agency monitoring security in Europe, on Monday vowed its support to the Georgian people against Russia's “brutal colonialism”, as the country marked the 14th anniversary of the 2008 Russian invasion that spawned the ongoing occupation of two Georgian regions.