OSCE Group of Friends of Georgia rejects legitimacy of “parliamentary elections” in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia region

The Group of Friends of Georgia at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe on Friday made a joint statement on not recognising the legitimacy of the so-called “parliamentary elections” held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region on March 12.

The statement reiterates “full support” for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

We remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of parts of the territory of Georgia by the Russian Federation, as well as by steps to integrate Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia's socio-economic sphere,” the statement says.

The release also urges Russia to fulfil its obligation under the European Union-mediated August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement, and to withdraw its forces to positions prior to the outbreak of hostilities, in addition to providing free access to humanitarian assistance to the two regions.

We also call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” the Group of Friends of Georgia notes.

The Group of Friends of Georgia in OSCE includes the following countries Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.