Georgia Condemns Russia's Fortification of Occupation Line
Official Tbilisi has condemned the launching of works with the aim to fortify the occupation line adjacent to the village of Atotsi in Kareli Municipality, central Georgia, by Russia, which is installing a one- kilometer long artificial barrier.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Georgia has released a statement saying by taking such illegal steps, the Russian Federation “blatantly violates” the fundamental norms and principles of international law and undermines the rules-based international system.
“The above illegal actions of Russia aim at further destabilizing the situation on the ground, restricting freedom of movement and isolating the conflict-affected people from the rest of Georgia. Continuation of illegal process of installation of artificial barriers along the occupation line further deteriorates the already difficult humanitarian conditions of local population,” the MFA stated.
The ministry calls on the Russian Federation to cease its illegal actions directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, to implement the international obligations undertaken by the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and withdraw its military forces from the territory of Georgia.
The MFA called on the international community to duly assess the provocative actions of Russia and take effective steps to counter the process of illegal occupation and factual annexation of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by Russia.
“The Georgian side immediately activated a hotline on this matter and informed the EU Monitoring Mission as well as the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions from the EU, UN and OSCE. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia will raise the continued illegal process of installation of artificial barriers along the occupation line within all relevant bilateral and multilateral international formats,” the statement reads.
The illegal borderization was also confirmed by the State Security Service (SSS).
"Illegal borderization is taking place in the vicinity of Atosi village of Kareli municipality. The above-mentioned affects safety on the ground and significantly restricts the local population’s right to free movement,” the agency stressed.
By Thea Morrison