MFA Issues a Declaration on the Upcoming Elections in Abkhazia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has remarked on the upcoming elections in the occupied region of Abkhazia. The declaration released by the Ministry cautiously but suitably addressed the ‘illegality’ of its existence, not only as an ‘autonomous republic’ but also the authenticity of its elections.
In the issued declaration by the MFA, it can be read that the “so-called presidential elections in occupied Abkhazia region taking place on 22 March 2020, […] fully contradicts the fundamental norms and principles of international law and blatantly violate Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“These so-called elections are illegal and cannot have any legal effect,” reads the issued declaration, and to back the argument the MFA emphasizes the “half a million of internally displaced persons and refugees expelled from Abkhazia region as a result of several waves of ethnic cleansing.” Additionally, it is noteworthy to remark that these attempts of ‘self-control’ are nothing but a façade that is guaranteed and coordinated directly from Kremlin. “The Russian occupying power exercises full effective control on the ground,” reads the statement.
The declaration once again underlines the international support which Georgia has in regard to the occupied regions. “The international community unwaveringly supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” reads the statement. On top of this, the declaration emphasizes that the international community “does not recognize so-called elections held in the occupied territories and will never accept the attempt of forceful change of sovereign borders of Georgia,” which is of vital importance to our country.
The MFA demands that the Russian forces leave the occupied regions, which must be done systematically with the help of our allies. The Ministry “calls upon the Russian Federation to fulfill the undertaken international obligations, withdraw its military forces from Georgia’s territory and reverse its unlawful decision regarding so-called independence of the occupied regions.”
The MFA “appeals to the international community to give a due assessment and take effective measures to counter the illegal processes taking place in the occupied territories,” reads the statements concluding remarks.
A very important passage from the declaration can be read while the Ministry deciphers what these elections mean to the Georgian region of Abkhazia. “The so-called elections represent yet another futile attempt to legitimize the ethnic cleansing, the ongoing illegal occupation and factual annexation process in the Abkhazia region,” concludes the statement.
By B.Alexishvili