Linkevicius: 20% of Georgia Is Occupied by Russia

Lithuanian Prime Minister, Linas Linkevicius, says nothing has changed since the August 2008 Georgia-Russia war, adding that the militarization process of Georgia is still underway.

In his interview with Georgia’s Public Broadcaster, Linkevicius said the so called borderization process in Georgia has stopped but it looks like a test.

"It is very important to name it how it is – 20% of Georgia is occupied by the Russian Federation,” he stated.

The Lithuanian PM also said he believes that some dialogues lead nowhere, referring to the dialogue with Russia.

“Take the NATO-Russia council meetings. They meet periodically to discuss problems. As the Russian side said once, it is a monologue not a dialogue,” he explained.

Linkevicius says it is very important to be willing to solve the problem and for the position of the allies to be unified.

“There are sanctions against Russia for the Crimea annexation. The same should have been done after the occupation of Georgia. But there was not enough will to do so,” he said, adding timely actions are necessary to prevent future problems.

Linkevicius arrived in Georgia on September 11 to attend the Tbilisi International Conference. He also met the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze.

The parties discussed the two countries' close cooperation, including Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration. As the Prime Minister pointed out, the Government of Georgia highly appreciates Lithuania's invaluable support in this direction.

Special emphasis was placed on important issues on the Georgia-EU cooperation agenda, including the development of the roadmap for integration into the EU.

The conversation also involved the positive dynamics in the development of bilateral relations and prospects of future cooperation.

By Thea Morrison