Statement of the State Minister for Reintegration of Georgia

In conformity with the Resolutions of the Parliament of Georgia "On Peace-Keeping Forces Deployed in the Territory of Georgia” of 18 July 2006, and "On the Occupation of the Territories of Georgia by the Russian Federation” of 28 August 2008; and according to paragraph 3(b) of the Ordinance N552 of the Government of Georgia of 29 August 2008, the State Minister for Reintegration of Georgia is authorized to declare that Georgia withdraws from the Joint Control Commission that was established in conformity with the Agreement "On Principles for Settlement of Georgian-Ossetian Conflict” of 24 June 1992.

The above decisions have been made after the Russian Federation, by its belligerent actions against Georgia, have invalidated all the peacekeeping and conflict resolution formats that had been in place until now, established through bilateral agreements and within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Proceeding from the aforementioned, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has implemented due procedures in order to unilaterally terminate the Agreement "On Principles for Settlement of Georgian-Ossetian Conflict” of 24 June 1992.

As a result, the Joint Control Commission for Settlement of Georgian-Ossetian Conflict ceased existence; all protocols and agreements that were adopted within the framework of the Joint Control Commission are null and void; the mandate of the Joint Peacekeeping Force is annulled which should be followed by the immediate termination of so-called "peacekeeping operation” in the former South Ossetian autonomous province and the immediate withdrawal of the Russian military units, which are deployed in the region, from the territory of Georgia.

At the same time, the Government of Georgia remains strongly committed to the cease-fire agreement mediated by the President of the French Republic, as well as to the provisions of the respective letter of President N. Sarkozy and the explanations enclosed.