Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and Slovakia, as well as the EU Neighborhood Commissioner, commented on the recent installation of the ‘border sign’ in the area of Bershueti village in Gori District, adjacent to Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia.
The statements were voiced in response to Rustavi 2 TV at their press engagements before the EU Foreign Affairs Council on July 17.
Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
“This is yet another example of ignorance of our statements, opinions and it is very good that sanctions are working, they are in place. It is yet another argument to keep it, I believe. They are not introduced because of this [borderization], but nevertheless, it also has to do with the policy of Russia.
We have to continue with a consistent consolidated policy and although it is not on the agenda, it is always on the radar screen.
If you talk about options – to escalate tension from Georgian side, will not be the option. [Georgia should] continue to act responsibly, to continue to consult with international partners and definitely we have to make sure that there will be some difference in this, because Russia is usually testing our vigilance, testing our resilience, testing how far they can go not only with regard to this borderline, but also with regard of the policy, in general.”
Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
“We have to be firm and clear, Georgia’s territorial integrity is without questions and we have to reaffirm it again.”
Sven Mikser, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
“This is not a topic for today’s discussion of the foreign ministers of the European Union but obviously as an Estonian Foreign Minister, I can say that we very much support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. I believe that all the actions by all external actors that violate the territorial integrity of Georgia have to be condemned in strongest terms.”
Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations
“I am not quite familiar with the most recent events, so I do not want to comment. But once again, we condemn every kind of violation of territorial integrity and this is something that has not changed and will not change.”
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)