Statement of the Georgian Foreign Ministry in reaction to the deployment of Russian railway troops in the occupied territory of Abkhazia

In early August of 2015, the Russian occupation regime deployed railway troops to the territory of occupied Abkhazia under the pretext of carrying out restoration works over the railway section from Ochamchire to Enguri. In this regard, the Georgian Foreign Ministry would like to state that in the recent period the Russian Federation has been repeatedly taking provocative actions against Georgia. It is interesting to note that prior to the intervention in Georgia in August 2008, Russia illegally launched restoration of the Abkhazian section of the railway and deployment of railway troops to the Georgian territory, which it subsequently used effectively for the transportation of its troops and equipment during the hostilities.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemns this yet another aggressive and provocative action of Moscow and categorically demands that the occupation regime immediately stop the aforesaid illegal activities in Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry also demands that the Russian Federation comply with the fundamental principles of international law, as well as with the international commitments undertaken by Russia, including under the Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008, and to de-occupy the Georgian territories.

At the same time, the Georgian Foreign Ministry calls upon the international community to duly assess Russia’s illegal policy directed against Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and take measures to ensure against any recurrence of Russia’s aggression against Georgia.