Abkhazia and Tskhinvali integral parts of Georgia
By Tea Mariamidze
Thursday, November 24
The United States (US) Department of State stated its position regarding Georgia’s two breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali), occupied by Russia and said these regions are integral parts of Georgia.
“The United States’ position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia, and we continue to support Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” the statement of the US Department of State reads.
Moreover, the US condemned the deal between Russia and occupied Abkhazia about military cooperation, which was ratified by Russia’s State Duma on November 2.
“The US strongly opposes the Russian Federation’s ratification of an agreement secured with the de-facto leaders in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia regarding a joint military force. We do not recognize the legitimacy of this so-called 'treaty', which does not constitute a valid international agreement,” the statement of the Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, John Kirby, says.
The US Department of State calls on Russia to fulfill all of its commitments under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, and provide free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.
The military agreement between Russia and breakaway Abkhazia was signed in Moscow in November 2015 and was ratified in early November.
The agreement envisages creation of the combined group, in order to ensure "adequate response to an armed attack or any aggression”.
The joint group will include the Russian military base in Abkhazia, two Abkhaz motorized battalions, artillery and aviation groups and a special forces unit.
The group will be headed by an officer from the Russian base.
The so-called agreement was unanimously condemned by the international community.
