Russia’s alleged plans to deploy base in occupied Abkhazia - continuation of occupation - Georgian PM
Garibashvili told the media that he had participated in an “important” round table format discussion on the sidelines of the ongoing European Political Community Summit in Granada, where he had voiced that Moscow’s plans were “perceived” by the Georgian side as an “illegal decision”. Photo via Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday called Russia’s plans to deploy a permanent naval military base in the Russian-occupied north-western Abkhazia region’s city of Ochamchire - a continuation of the occupation.
Garibashvili told the media that he had participated in an “important” round table format discussion on the sidelines of the ongoing European Political Community Summit in Granada, where he had voiced that Moscow’s plans were “perceived” by the Georgian side as an “illegal decision”.
Everyone knows very well that Georgia is [...] in a very specific situation, since a significant part of the country's territory is occupied, and taking into account all this, the country is able to develop, advance, and is carrying out reforms in such a way as to maintain peace and stability”, the PM stressed.
There were also discussed multilateralism and geostrategic issues, including Georgia’s security in this direction, the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on the region, as well as the recent developments concerning Azerbaijan and Armenia, he added.
The Georgian foreign office on Thursday said it was “concerned” by Moscow’s plans to deploy a permanent naval military base in the Russian-occupied north-western Abkhazia region’s city of Ochamchire.
Gia Volski, the Georgian Parliament’s Vice Speaker, on Thursday said there was “no formal deal” between Russia and Georgia’s Russian-occupied north-western region of Abkhazia following claims by the de facto President of the region of a “new agreement” with Moscow about the deployment of a Russian naval base in the coastal city of Ochamchire.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the Georgian Government was “successfully implementing” the policy of non-recognition of the country’s Russian-occupied territories by foreign countries, and noted “no statement can prevent us from doing so”.
Russia used its ongoing aggression against Ukraine to “intensify its annexation efforts” in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions last year, a report by the Georgian State Security Service said.
Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, on Friday said media reports about alleged plans for a Russian naval military base in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia were “extremely worrying”.
Peter Stano, the European Union Spokesperson for External Affairs, on Friday said the bloc expressed “strong concern” about Russia’s reported plans to establish a naval military base in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday said Russia’s “illegal move” to establish a permanent naval military base in the Russian-occupied north-western Abkhazia region’s city of Ochamchire was a “direct threat” to Georgia, its European aspirations, as well as to the Black Sea security.
Victor Dolidze, the Head of the Georgian Mission to NATO, on Saturday stressed the importance of gaining the support of “friends and colleagues” in the Alliance “as much as possible” amid Russia’s “increased pressure” on the occupied territories of Georgia.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday said it was "important" for the international community and the country’s Western partners to condemn Russia’s reported plans to establish a naval military base in the city of Ochamchire in Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said “any action” carried out in Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories was “completely unacceptable”, in response to reports that said the Kremlin had decided to transfer ships of its Black Sea Fleet from Ukraine’s occupied Crimea peninsula to the port of the city of Ochamchire in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia region.
Release of Georgian citizens illegally detained by Russian occupation forces and developments along the occupation lin
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said Russia’s plans to establish a permanent naval military base in the city of Ochamchire in Georgia’s Russian-occupied north-western region of Abkhazia violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.