Georgia Condemns Declaration of Independence by Catalonia

The Georgian government has condemned the declaration of independence by Catalonia and supports the Spanish government's efforts to restore legitimacy.

Official Tbilisi reports that the Georgian government is firmly committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Spain within its internationally recognized borders and considers Catalonia as an integral part of Spain.

“The Georgian government greatly appreciates steady partnership with the important partner of our country, the Kingdom of Spain, which is based on shared values and traditional friendly relations,” the governments official statement reads.

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, also made a statement to confirm that Georgia supports Spain's territorial integrity.

"Georgia strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our friend and partner: Spain,” the PM stated.

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili sent letters to King Philip VI of the Kingdom of Spain and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

“I would like to assure you that Georgia and the Georgian people firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Spain. The threat of separatism is well-known for our country,” the letter of Georgian president reads.

“I am confident that the fundamental principles of international law and the unity of the international community will make it possible to regulate the existing problems. Let me reiterate my deep respect, and I wish you and the Spanish people peace and prosperity," the letter reads.

The Parliament of Catalonia declared independence from Spain on October 27.

Spain dismissed Catalonia's president and Cabinet and dissolved its Parliament on Friday, hours after lawmakers in the autonomous region defied Madrid and voted overwhelmingly to declare independence.

Catalan MPs backed the motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition.

Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, earlier told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia.

The Catalan government said that of the 43% of potential voters who took part in the referendum, 90% were in favor of independence. But Spain's Constitutional Court had ruled the vote illegal.

Thea Morrison, Tamzin Whitewood