Mogherini Denounces Russia’s Military Presence in Georgia’s Occupied Regions
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, says that the Russian military presence in the breakaway regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the construction of physical barriers and dividing lines there, is unacceptable for the EU.
The EU high representative made the statement at the European Parliament during the debates on Georgia.
Mogherini praised Georgia for its steps towards peaceful resolution of the conflict, noting that even 10 years since the 2008 August Georgia-Russia war, the EU has never stopped working on the issue.
"The European Union's mediation during the war prevented further escalation of the conflict and eventually ended the ceasefire. Since then, the EU has been a central player in the conflict management, improving people's lives in the region and finding long-term decisions,” she said.
According to Mogherini, the EU has a special role in Georgia due to the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) there.
“Today, we are the only international observer mission on site. The mission has fulfilled the necessary function of stabilizing the situation in favor of all parties affected by the conflict,” she added.
Mogherini says the EUMM, deployed in the breakaway regions in September 2008 following the EU-mediated Six Point Agreement which ended the August war, has 200 monitors from various EU Member States working on the ground.
“The function of the monitors is not only monitoring but normalization and stabilization of the process, as well as promotion of confidence building, reduction of tensions, and helping to prevent any escalation of the situation," she explained.
According to the high representative, the EU condemns Russia’s steps made in Georgia’s separatist regions, noting it is the consolidation of the so called “new reality,” a term often used by Russia.
Mogherini says that the EU’s non-recognition and engagement policy for occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia is fully in line with the Georgian government's approach.
“Our approach is to involve separatist regions in our programs in Georgia whenever possible. This concerns our programs of agriculture, rural development and professional training. We support all initiatives that will help to restore trust between the parties. All our actions are fully coordinated in these two regions and approved by the Government of Georgia and are fully compatible with Georgia's engagement policy,” she stated.
The EU high representative underlined that the conflict is not forgotten and is one of the top priorities of the EU.
Georgia’s Vice-Premier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikheil Janelidze, stated that such support from the EU is very important for Georgia.
“Federica Mogherini was very clear about all the problems that exist in the occupied regions, which are accompanied by Russia's occupation of Georgian territories. The international community is extremely active in terms of supporting Georgia and we will continue doing our best towards the peaceful regulation of the conflict,” the Minister stated.
By Thea Morrison