Reconciliation Minister Calls on Occupation Regimes to Open Checkpoints

Georgia’s State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has called on the de facto governments of occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia to open the so-called borders, closed on January 11 due to the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

The Minister said that the closure of the checkpoints will create a humanitarian catastrophe in these regions because the locals have no access to products.

"It's inhuman and in nobody's interests. The population of these regions is very worried about the current situation,” she said, adding that the government is ready to do their best to improve the situation and calling on the occupation regimes to also take steps.

“A non-existent epidemic provides no justification for blocking crossing points since the situation is neither an epidemic nor worse than in previous years,” the Minister emphasized.

Tsikhelashvili also noted that in total, 13 students cannot attend classes and pass exams due to the existing reality at the checkpoints.

By Thea Morrison