Georgian foreign office highlights continued Russian occupation on 16th anniversary of 2008 invasion

Georgian Foreign Ministry on Thursday highlighted the continued Russian occupation of two of the country’s regions on the 16th anniversary of its 2008 invasion of Georgia.

The Ministry said Russia continued to occupy Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions in violation of the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, brokered by the European Union, and in “complete disregard of the fundamental norms of international law”.

Russian military bases [are] illegally located in the occupied regions of Georgia; military exercises [are] regularly conducted by the occupying forces; artificially erected barriers [are present] on the occupation line; killings of Georgian civilians, illegal detentions, ethnic discrimination of Georgians and other destructive actions carried out by Russia further worsen the fragile security and humanitarian environment in the occupied regions”, the statement said.

The statement further stressed that Russia was still obstructing the ability of unrestricted access of international organisations to the ground and the deployment of international security mechanisms.

Russia aims to integrate the indivisible regions of Georgia into the political, military, economic, and social systems of Russia and promotes the isolation of the population living in the occupied territories from the rest of Georgia and the international community”, the statement noted.

Georgia continues to implement the policy of peaceful resolution of the Russian-Georgian conflict and aims to ensure de-occupation, peaceful settlement and development of the country by using diplomatic and legal instruments, in close cooperation with international partners. Georgia continues its constructive involvement in the Geneva International Discussions”, the foreign office continued.

The statement also stressed the Georgian Government was taking steps to ensure reconciliation and restoration of trust between communities divided by occupation lines and to “build a common European future”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasises the unwavering and unconditional support of the international community for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and is grateful for the support of international partners in the process of peaceful settlement of the Russia-Georgia conflict”, it noted.

The foreign office further called on Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, withdraw its forces from the territory of the country, stop “gross violations” of human rights in the occupied regions and allow return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes.