British PM vows support for Georgia's sovereignty, welcomes country’s support for Ukraine
In the letter Sunak noted the “close partnership” between the two countries on security and defence had “never been more important”. Photo: Reuters
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British prime minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday said the United Kingdom remained “resolute” in its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, in a letter to his counterpart Irakli Garibashvili.
In the letter Sunak noted the “close partnership” between the two countries on security and defence had “never been more important”.
Please be assured that the UK stands with Georgia in the face of continued Russian aggression. The UK remains resolute in our support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders”, the letter noted.
We will continue to call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and press for the provision of unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to these regions”, the British PM continued.
Sunak also welcomed the support provided by Georgia to Ukraine since the start of hostilities in the country.
This illegal war has brutally reminded us of the threat that Russia poses to fundamental principles of international law, including territorial integrity. The UK's support for Ukraine, like our support for Georgia, will not falter. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and reinforce the prosperity, peace and security of our peoples”, Sunak concluded.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said Russia’s success in Ukraine would mean the “extinction of any hope of freedom” in Georgia and Moldova.
Russia's actions in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014, as well as the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripals in Salisbury were warnings to the West, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in an opinion piece published by The New York Times on Sunday.
British Ambassador to Georgia Mark Clayton on Wednesday called on all political stakeholders in Georgia to work together on the implementation of the European Union conditions for granting the country the membership candidate status.
Mark Clayton, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Georgia, on Wednesday highlighted the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries by saying their relations had a "bright future".
Strategic partnership between Georgia and the United Kingdom and “intensive” bilateral and multilateral cooperation involving the sides were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between the Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and his British counterpart James Cleverly.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Jonathan Djanogly, the Chair of the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group on Georgia on Thursday discussed the “strong” inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries and the support of the British Parliament demonstrated to Georgia.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet Georgian officials and civil society groups during his official visit to the country on Thursday and Friday, the Georgian foreign service said.