Georgia Concerns Over Russia-Abkhazia Military Deal

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has condemned a military deal between Russia and the breakaway region of Abkhazia.

On 26th November 2015, the Russian Federation and the Abkhazian unrecognized regime concluded yet another deal on the creation of a joint group of armed forces.

The Foreign Ministry released a statement yesterday and expressed its deep concern over Russia’s next ‘provocative step’ which, along with the other forms of militarization of the occupied territories, endangers the security of Georgia and the region as a whole.

“Being an integral part of the “Treaty on Alliance and Strategic Partnership” signed on November 24th 2014, the aforementioned “agreement” once again demonstrates that the Russian Federation completely disregards international obligations and the fundamental principles of international law, continues the policy of creeping annexation of Georgian territories thus violating Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement reads.

According to the statement Abkhazia is an integral part of Georgia and does not represent an independent subject of the international law. Therefore, any attempt to sign an “agreement” with the region is a gross violation of the international law and constitutes an illegal action devoid of legal consequences.

“Having signed this document, Russia, despite the Georgian Government's repeated calls, once again infringed the provisions of the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement that is of particular concern given the absence of international mechanisms in the occupied regions and Russia's persistent refusal to undertake the non-use of force pledge,” the statement read.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has called upon the international community to give due assessment to Russia’s illegal step and to take the appropriate measures in order to prevent further escalation of the fragile security situation in the region.