Georgia and its international partners refuse to recognize the illegitimate parliamentary elections in the Russian-occupied Georgian territory of Abkhazia.

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign affairs (MFA) was quick to condemn the illegal elections that infringed upon Georgia’s sovereign territorial integrity. The MFA said that the “so-called parliamentary elections” in the occupied Abkhazia region is a “futile attempt” to legitimize Russia’s illegal occupation of the region.

The U.S. Embassy in Georgia and the NATO Secretary General Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia also supported Georgia’s position. In a statement on the matter, the U.S. Embassy said that “The United States does not recognize the legitimacy of the so-called parliamentary elections held in Georgia’s Abkhazia region on March 12 and will not acknowledge their outcome,” and “we reiterate our strong support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”

Javier Colomina, NATO’s representative in the region, added that “NATO does not recognize the legitimacy of the elections which took place on Saturday in the Georgian region of Abkhazia. The Alliance continues to support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”

Furthermore, the MFA and the U.S. Embassy in Georgia called on Russia to adhere to the 2008 ceasefire agreement that concluded the Russo-Georgian war. The MFA called on Russia to respect its international commitments, fulfil the August 2008 ceasefire agreement, and withdraw its recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states.

The U.S. Embassy stated that given the increased importance of protecting principles amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that “We therefore call upon Russia… to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, including withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions, reversal of its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, and provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.”

As the U.S. Embassy in Georgia stated, as Russia continues to terrorize the Ukrainian people and undermine their sovereignty and territorial integrity, the international community must stand up for its fundamental principles wherever they are challenged. Georgia continues to seek a peaceful conclusion to the unlawful Russian occupation of its territories and for Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region to join Georgia as it becomes a member of the Euro-Atlantic family.

 

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