US Vice President Condemns Ratification of Russian-Abkhazian Military Deal

The United States (US) Vice President, Joseph Biden condemned the ratification of a military deal between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway region- Abkhazia- when speaking by phone yesterday with Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili after calling to congratulate him on his party's victory in Georgia's October parliamentary elections.

At the same time, the Vice-President noted that the US is ready to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. 

The military agreement, signed between Russia and De-facto Abkhazia in Moscow in 2015, was ratified by the Russian State Duma on November 2, 2016. The deal envisages the creation of a joint military group of the two sides in order to ensure "adequate response to an armed attack (aggression)".

The joint group will include the Russian military base deployed in Abkhazia, two Abkhaz motorized battalions, artillery and aviation groups and a special force unit. The group will be headed by a representative of the Russian base.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry also condemned the ratification of the deal recently, saying it exacerbates the situation against the background of militarization of the occupied territories and the regular military exercises held there. 

“The Government of Georgia will continue its efforts in all international formats in relation to Russia’s prevocational steps in order for the international community to duly assess Moscow’s illegal actions,” the statement of Georgia’s Foreign Ministry says.

By Thea Morrison

Photo: US Vice President Joseph Biden. Source: oronegro.mx