Foreign officials, bodies condemn “elections” in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region

Foreign officials, ambassadors in Georgia, Swedish and Latvian foreign ministries on Sunday and Monday condemned “parliamentary elections” held in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region last week.

In his social media post, James O’Brien, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, on Monday said the US “condemns and will not recognise sham elections” in the region.

The official said the US “fully supported” Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In her post on the recent development in the region, Sheraz Gasri, the French Ambassador to the country, on Sunday said France supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and it “does not recognise” the “elections”.

In his social media post, Peter Stano, the European Union Spokesperson for External Affairs, said the EU “does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework in which the so-called ‘parliamentary elections’ took place”, and noted the EU remained “firm” in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the “elections” in the region, the Swedish Embassy in the country said on Monday.

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday also condemned the “elections” by saying it “does not recognise either the legitimacy of the elections, or their results”.

Latvia reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty of Georgia and its territorial integrity within the internationally recognised borders”, the release added.

It also called on Russian authorities to end the occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and respect “all of its obligations stemming from the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement”.

Petr Kubernát, the Czech Ambassador to the country, on Monday condemned the “elections” in the region.

Since very beginning Czechia has always fully supported Georgia's efforts to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity and we will continue to do so!”, Kubernát noted.

In her social media post, Meline Arakelian, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to the country, on Sunday said the Netherlands “firmly” supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In their statement on the recent development in the region, the Japanese Embassy to the country on Monday said Japan “consistently” supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and noted the country “does not recognise” the legitimacy of the “elections” in the region.

The Embassy added Japan opposed “any attempt to change Georgia's internationally recognised borders”.