Ruling party Executive Secretary rejects opponents' claims on “reconciliation through recognition” of occupied regions

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Sunday refuted accusations from several opposition groups alleging the ruling Georgian Dream party intends to reintegrate the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) by “initially recognising them as independent states”.

In a social media post, Mdinaradze labelled the opposition as “foreign agents” and rejected the possibility of the Georgian Government agreeing to a “confederal arrangement.” He further accused the opponents of “spreading anti-national rumours” in an attempt to “influence the upcoming Parliamentary elections [on October 26]”. 

“Georgia will never question its territorial integrity. The idea of a united Georgia is our Georgian dream, and it will undoubtedly come true. No discussions are being held over recognition or any similar anti-national initiatives. A confederation, which would imply recognition of the independence of the occupied territories, is out of the question”, Mdinaradze asserted.

The lawmaker further stressed Georgia would “achieve de-occupation only through peace, development, reconciliation, and mutual forgiveness, regardless of any attempts by external forces to drag the country into war”.