Parliament speaker: “important” that Belarus maintains non-recognition of Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories

Georgian parliament speaker Shalva papuashvili on Friday said it was “important” that Belarus, which had committed itself to the policy of non-recognition of Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories, remained within the framework of the policy, following a visit by president Aleksandr Lukashenko to the occupied Abkhazia region this week.

Papuashvili expressed his hope that “statements and diplomatic steps” taken by the Georgian government following the visit “reached the addressee” and there would be “adequate reaction”.

There was quite an adequate, strict response from the Georgian ministry of foreign affairs, with the ambassador of Belarus being summoned and explanations demanded. For us, it is absolutely unacceptable for the leader of a foreign country to enter the territory of Georgia without agreement with Georgian authorities”, Papuashvili said. 

“On the other hand, it is important that Belarus, a country committed to the policy of non-recognition, remains within the framework of this policy. Therefore, I hope that the diplomatic steps taken by the ministry of foreign affairs and the statements from our side have reached the addressee and there will be adequate reaction”, he continued.

• Georgia PM “strongly” condemns Belarusian president’s “visit” to Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazi

The head of the legislative body also stressed that relations between Georgia and Belarus “did not deserve” the step taken by the Belarusian president, as “this is an extreme red line, as far as the policy of non-recognition is concerned”. 

Therefore, appropriate diplomatic tools were used, our statements were made, and I hope that the addressee will perceive them appropriately”, he concluded in his comments.