Europe gives Georgia full support on territorial integrity
For the first time since the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008, a special Group of Friends of Georgia within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has adopted a Declaration on the conflict that supports Georgia’s territorial integrity and condemns the occupation of Georgian land. According to the head of the Georgian delegation, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, the OSCE Group of Friends of Georgia has shown “unprecedented support” by adopting the declaration at the 23rd Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg on December 8–9.
“We need more enhanced and strengthened engagement of the OSCE in the Geneva International Discussions, as well as in the entire process of the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict,” said Foreign Minister Janelidze at the plenary session of the OSCE Ministerial Council.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Janelidze, the security and humanitarian situation in the occupied regions of Georgia continues to be alarming. In breach of fundamental norms and principles of international law, Russia continues its occupation of Georgia’s territories and is taking active steps towards their annexation, manifested in the gradual incorporation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions into Russia’s military, economic and social systems. Russia’s illegal activities and militarization process, along with the creation of so-called “joint groups of armed forces” and constant military drills in the occupied regions further undermine the already fragile situation.
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz has offered Georgia “unconditional support” in its territorial battle to reclaim annexed territory: “… we as the European Parliament, one of the communitarian institutions, [ensure] defendants stick to the territorial integrity of Georgia as a non-negotiable principle.”
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted in response, “We value the European Parliament’s very vocal and bold stance condemning ongoing occupation of Georgian soil by Russia and its aftermath of severe security and humanitarian conditions… I would once again like to thank the European Parliament for supporting Georgia’s European aspirations and I would like to personally thank President Schulz again for his personal contribution to building Georgia’s European future.”
The Government of Georgia, which consistently pursues a policy of peaceful resolution of conflicts despite Russia’s provocative steps, praised the decision the Council of Europe made on December 12th regarding the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM). The decision mandated an extension of another two years, until December 14, 2018. It also allocated a budget of €18 million for the period of December 15, 2016 to December 14, 2017.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia issued a statement that read, “The EUMM is the only international mechanism in Georgia which significantly contributes to security and stability, confidence building and prevention of the escalation of the situation on the ground after the war between Georgia and Russia in 2008. The effective work of the EU monitoring mission once again testifies to the unwavering commitment of the Georgian Government to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.”
The EUMM has contributed to stabilization, normalization and confidence building between the conflict parties after the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. The mission provides civilian monitoring of parties’ actions, including full compliance with the EU-brokered Six-Point Agreement and subsequent implementation measures throughout Georgia. It also informs European policy in support of a durable political solution for Georgia.
More:
MFA Georgia: Mikheil Janelidze “Georgia needs enhanced engagement of the OSCE in the process of resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict”