Statement of the Georgian Foreign Ministry in reaction to the conclusion of the so-called “Agreement on the State Border” by the Russian Federation with the Tskhinvali occupation regime

The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemns the fact of concluding the so-called “Agreement on the State Border” by the Russian Federation with the Tskhinvali occupation regime. Moscow’s any actions directed towards the unilateral change of the internationally recognised state borders between Georgia and the Russian Federation have no legal force and represents a part of the process of occupation of Georgia’s inalienable regions by the Russian Federation.

This action of the Russian Federation violates the fundamental norms of the international law, including, the principles of inviolability of the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognised borders. This is yet another clear proof of the gross violation of the international commitments undertaken by the Russian Federation, including, the Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008.

Having concluded the so-called “Agreement on the State Border”, the Russian Federation tries to veil the policy of occupation and annexation of Georgia’s regions, which is evidently expressed in the signing of the so-called "alliance and integration" agreements with the occupation regimes and in the recent statements of the Tskhinvali region to hold a referendum on joining Russia.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry calls upon the international community to duly assess Russia’s yet another illegal action directed against Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and take measures to make Russia to fulfill its commitments undertaken under the Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008 and to de-occupy the Georgian territories, to create international security mechanisms in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region and to ensure the peaceful and safe return of IDPs to their homes.