Georgian FM Vows Russia Will Have to Step Back
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Tuesday, August 28
Sooner or later, the Russian Federation will have to revoke its illegal decision made in 2008, when it recognized the so-called independence of integral regions of Georgia, - reads the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
The ministry claims that the Georgian government is doing its best for the reconciliation of people split by conflict and dividing lines.
"Today, the entire international community steadily supports Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law. This strong support is reflected in the effective actions of the international community towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Georgia on the 10th anniversary of the August war, as well as the recent unprecedented reaction of our partner countries and international organizations, was a clear confirmation of this support.
“Sooner or later, the Russian Federation will have to revoke its illegal decision made in 2008, when it recognized the so-called independence of integral regions of Georgia, and to de-occupy our territories. The Russian leadership undertook an international obligation on withdrawal of troops from Georgia on August 12, 2008, and must fully comply with the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement,” Georgian Foreign Ministry says,
The statement reads that Georgia continues constructive and active participation in the Geneva international talks to achieve tangible progress on key issues, such as the Russian Federation's commitment to the non-use of force and creation of international security mechanisms in the occupied regions, as well as the safe and dignified return of IDPs to their homes.
“The Georgian government is doing its best to reconcile the people split by conflict and dividing lines, as well as to enable our citizens beyond the occupation line, regardless of the ethnicity, to fully enjoy the opportunities provided by the state for its citizens," reads the statement.
The War in Abkhazia from 1992 to 1993 was fought between Georgian government forces for the most part, and Abkhaz separatist forces, Russian armed forces and North Caucasian militants. The separatists received support from thousands of North Caucasus and Cossack militants and the Russian troops stationed in and near Abkhazia.
Between 13,000 to 20,000 ethnic Georgians and approximately 3,000 Abkhaz have been reported killed, more than 250,000 Georgians became internally displaced, or refugees and about 2,000 are considered missing.
Among the missing, about 1,500 are ethnic Georgians, up to 200 are ethnic Abkhazians and about 100 are ethnic Ossetians.
101 bodies have been identified and transported to Georgia over the course of last years.
The Russo-Georgian 2008 War was a war between Georgia, Russia and the Russian-backed self-proclaimed republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The war displaced 192,000 people and while many returned to their homes after the war, 20,272 people, mostly ethnic Georgians, remained displaced.
35 Georgians and 6 Ossetians remain missing since the war.
Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria are the only countries which state the Georgian regions are independent republics.
