Georgian, Lithuanian Presidents Speak ‘Borderization’ in Vilnius

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili visited Lithuania on August 22. In Vilnius, she met with the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, and discussed a number of issues, including ongoing “borderization” in Georgia.

Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania expresses “unconditional support” to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, by not recognizing the occupied territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, and condemns “resumption of borderization process on occupied territories.”

President Zurabishvili spoke of “borderization” in Georgia at the annual Valdas Adamkus Conference as well, saying that Russia’s “policy of illegal borderization, occupation of territories, defying territorial integrity, restricting freedom of movement of individuals, families, dividing villages,” puts it in “clear contradiction with the principles that found international relations.”

We need the support of our partners, of our Lithuanian and Baltic friends, to reactivate negotiating formats, to give them real political signification… We need the support of our partners to overcome the conflicts and the occupation, and not only to be looking at this borderization from close or from faraway – that does not change the situation,” President Zurabishvili stated.

“We need Europe and European leaders to convince Russia to renounce the use of force or threats, adhere to its former commitments and play by the rules, not only in Georgia but with all its neighbors – Ukraine being one very important neighbor,” she added.

Russian occupation forces started construction of new artificial barriers in Gugutiantkari village of Gori Municipality, near the occupation line with Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia on the eleventh anniversary of the Russo-Georgia war on August 7.

A number of countries and organizations, including the United States, the European Union and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, have also condemned “borderization” in Georgia.

The annual conference brought together political leaders to discuss the European Union and NATO enlargement issues as well as to review common EU energy policy. In his opening remarks, the Lithuanian President spoke of importance of the EU leadership “in shaping the Eastern Partnership policy.”

He said “the future of the Eastern Partnership will highly depend on our courage and political will in the face of emerging challenges. “We are well aware that efforts of our partners to seek closer integration with the European Union are constantly interrupted by new obstacles,” Gitanas Nausėda stated.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)