Parliament official says statements incompatible with Georgia’s territorial integrity “categorically unacceptable and illegitimate” in response to Medvedev

Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Wednesday said statements and actions incompatible with the principle of territorial integrity of Georgia were “categorically unacceptable and illegitimate”, after Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, on Tuesday said “the idea of joining Russia is still popular in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and it can be implemented if there is a good reason for it”.

In his remarks over the matter, Sarjveladze noted Georgia would “never accept” the occupation of its territories and would instead achieve reintegration of the Russian-occupied regions in a peaceful manner.

Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity [...] is recognised by the entire civilised international community, and Georgia's stance in this direction is unwavering and unequivocal. This means that any statement, action that would be incompatible with the priority of territorial integrity of Georgia is categorically unacceptable and illegitimate”, Sarjveladze said. 

The Parliament official also stressed the Georgian Government would “unwaveringly continue the struggle for the deoccupation”, adding the country would “definitely” be able to fulfil the “historical justice” of peaceful reintegration with Georgian citizens living in the Russian-occupied territories.

Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions of Georgia in 2008, shortly after its war with Georgia. The overwhelming majority of the international community considers the territories as Russian-occupied parts of Georgia.