Draft resolution presented at US Congress condemning recognition of Georgian occupied regions by Syria

US Congressman Francis Rooney has presented a draft resolution at the US Congress which condemns the recognition of the two occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent republics by Syria back in 2018, Georgian Foreign Ministry says.

“The resolution reiterates the US' firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemns the occupation of the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia),” the Georgian Foreign Ministry cites the draft resolution.

The resolution praises Georgia’s role in the protection of international peace and security and says that the US and the international community must suspend Russia’s illegal activities in Georgia and other countries.

The draft resolution says that Russia uses its undeveloped “client countries” to “legalize occupation” and achieve its geopolitical goals.

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani thanked the congressman for pushing forward the draft resolution.

“The draft resolution is one more message to those who support Russia’s illegal activities that the international community will never tolerate the recognition of Georgian occupied regions as independent states,” Zalkaliani said.

Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised the independence of the Georgian regions so far, since the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

The rest of the international community says that regions are occupied by Russia.

The US adopted a law in 2017 which banned financial support for the countries which have recognized the regions as independent republics.

Syria and Nauru are on the list.

Last month The US House of Representatives passed a supportive act which not only condemns the occupation of Georgian lands but also provides sanctions against those who violate human rights in the two Russian-occupied regions of Georgia.

It was for the first time the US House of Representatives confirmed the supportive act as a separate document. Previously the Congress has confirmed many resolutions in support of Georgia. However, the supportive act is a more important document than a resolution, the Georgian Foreign Ministry says.