Condemning elections in Russian control territory
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, March 24
President of the European Council Congress Gudrun Mosler-Tornstrom has condemned the so-called parliamentary elections in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.
She stressed the European institutions were supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity.
The de facto authorities of the Abkhazia region in Georgia have just organised elections.
“In the meantime, the self-proclaimed President of South Ossetia announced that a referendum would be held in April about the name to be given to this region. Both facts are illegal and will do nothing to help restore Georgia's legitimate sovereignty over these two regions, but will just contribute to further isolating these regions from the international community,” she stated.
She said the Congress of the Council of Europe has always shown its commitment to the territorial integrity of member states and “we believe that this integrity is the first guarantee of a positive development of the regional dimension in our countries.”
The aspiration was also shared by Australian officials.
“Australia rejects recent ‘elections’ in Abkhazia and upcoming ‘referendum’ in South Ossetia; strongly support Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Gillian Bird, the Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations twitted.
Only four countries recognise Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent republics; these are Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru.
The recognition came after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
The rest international community stresses the regions are integral parts of Georgia.
