Georgian Foreign Ministry shared its concern over the recent developments near the occupation line between Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia and Georgia proper, including the placement of “border signs” on the disputed Chorchana-Tsnelisi area.
According to the Foreign Ministry, these “deliberate actions” are parts of “a joint chain of processes,” which, among others, aim to “push us to launching so-called demarcation-delimitation process.” The Foreign Ministry said the Government of Georgia finds this “futile attempt” unacceptable. “Internal administrative border does not need further clarification,” the statement reads.
The KGB of the Moscow-backed Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia announced on September 5 that “border service” crew has started works to mark “the border” on the disputed Chorchana-Tsnelisi area. According to Russia-held Tskhinvali’s “security committee,” Ossetian “border guards” have placed “border signs” and their flag on the occupation line, dividing the region from the rest of Georgia.
Foreign Ministry is also concerned by Tskhinvali’s decision to close all of its crossing points ahead of the local celebration from 8pm of September 4 to 6am of September 6, as “a grave violation of fundamental human rights,” which restricts the right to movement, isolates people living in occupied Tskhinvali, and deteriorates already heavy humanitarian situation.”
Such steps cause further destabilization of the situation and undermine the peaceful efforts of the Government of Georgia and the international community,” the Foreign Ministry stated. It also noted that the co-chairs of Geneva International Discussions (GID), as well as the European union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) have been informed.
Foreign Ministry calls on the Russian Federation to “stop provocative actions, which are aimed at destabilizing the situation and restricting fundamental rights of conflict-affected population,” and instead “constructively participate in negotiation formats,” including GID or its Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM).
The statement also calls on:
- the Russian Federation to respect its international obligations, fulfil the 2018 ceasefire agreement, “make effective steps to deescalate the situation, and by result-oriented involvement support solution of security and humanitarian challenges in GID”
- International community to make “due reaction to the illegal and destructive steps of the occupation regime, and to make effective steps to stop them.”
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