On 4 September 2008, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eka Tkeshelashvili and Secretary of the National Security Council Aleksandre Lomaia held a meeting with Special Representative of the European Commission in Georgia Per Eklund and a representative of the EU Assessment Mission to Georgia Kim Friedberga.
The sides discussed the situation in Georgia’s conflict regions. They also focused on a future mandate of the EU Observer Mission in Georgia and principles of cooperation with the Georgian side.
At the end of the meeting the sides agreed to continue actively their consultations and cooperation in this direction.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Grigol Vashadze meets with experts of the EU Council
On 4 September 2008 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze met with experts of the EU Council and political advisers to the EU Special Representative for South Caucasus, on their request.
The aim of the meeting was to continue a regular dialogue between the European Union and Georgia on the situation resulting from Russia’s aggression and invasion of the Georgian territory. The sides also focused on the decisions adopted by the Extraordinary European Council Meeting held in Brussels on 1 September 2008 and EU-initiated concrete measures aimed at their implementation.
European experts noted that the extension of the office of the EU Special Representative for South Caucasus has already been launched in compliance with the Council decisions. Up to 20 European experts (so-called crisis response team) are already on the ground engaged in choosing locations for EU groups of monitors throughout the entire territory of Georgia and preparing them for the European Union’s ESDP Mission.
The Georgian side once again noted with satisfaction that the European Council’s decisions register clearly the European Union’s joint, firm and unequivocal position on the recognition of the principle of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a basis for resolving the crisis between Russia and Georgia; strict demand to Russia to ensure immediate implementation of the 6-point ceasefire agreement and withdrawal of all troops from the territory of Georgia; the strengthening of the European Union’s role in addressing the crisis and securing a lasting solution to the conflicts, as well as in promoting Georgia’s integration with the European Union.
On the European side’s request, the Deputy Foreign Minister acquainted the European experts with the actual state of affairs in Georgia as well as on its occupied territories and provided them with full information on all illegal control checkpoints set up by Russia in Georgia.
The aim of the meeting was to continue a regular dialogue between the European Union and Georgia on the situation resulting from Russia’s aggression and invasion of the Georgian territory. The sides also focused on the decisions adopted by the Extraordinary European Council Meeting held in Brussels on 1 September 2008 and EU-initiated concrete measures aimed at their implementation.
European experts noted that the extension of the office of the EU Special Representative for South Caucasus has already been launched in compliance with the Council decisions. Up to 20 European experts (so-called crisis response team) are already on the ground engaged in choosing locations for EU groups of monitors throughout the entire territory of Georgia and preparing them for the European Union’s ESDP Mission.
The Georgian side once again noted with satisfaction that the European Council’s decisions register clearly the European Union’s joint, firm and unequivocal position on the recognition of the principle of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a basis for resolving the crisis between Russia and Georgia; strict demand to Russia to ensure immediate implementation of the 6-point ceasefire agreement and withdrawal of all troops from the territory of Georgia; the strengthening of the European Union’s role in addressing the crisis and securing a lasting solution to the conflicts, as well as in promoting Georgia’s integration with the European Union.
On the European side’s request, the Deputy Foreign Minister acquainted the European experts with the actual state of affairs in Georgia as well as on its occupied territories and provided them with full information on all illegal control checkpoints set up by Russia in Georgia.
Info regarding simplification of visa regime with the Russian Federation
On 3 September 2008 the President of Georgia issued Decree N 426 on the simplification of visa regime with the Russian Federation.
In connection with the lifting of martial law on the territory of Georgia and the Russian Federation’s suspension of consular relations with Georgia, the Georgian Border Police – a state agency under the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has been entrusted to restore the issuance of visas (with a validity of up to three months) to citizens of the Russian Federation at all border checkpoints for international traffic.
To obtain a Georgian visa, a citizen is required to submit a valid foreign passport and fill in a visa application form. Visa fee is 60 GEL.
The Presidential Decree will enter into force upon publication.
In connection with the lifting of martial law on the territory of Georgia and the Russian Federation’s suspension of consular relations with Georgia, the Georgian Border Police – a state agency under the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has been entrusted to restore the issuance of visas (with a validity of up to three months) to citizens of the Russian Federation at all border checkpoints for international traffic.
To obtain a Georgian visa, a citizen is required to submit a valid foreign passport and fill in a visa application form. Visa fee is 60 GEL.
The Presidential Decree will enter into force upon publication.
Comments on Ceasefire Agreement implementation
Question: How would you assess the comment of the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached through the mediation efforts of the President of France?
Answer: First of all, it needs to be emphasized that contrary to the Russian side’s claim there is no document titled ‘Medvedev-Sarkoz’ plan or initiative. There applies a six-point ceasefire agreement, which French President Sarkozy offered to Russia and Georgia and which was signed by the President of Georgia on 15 August 2008 and by the President of Russia on 16 August.
Given the Russian Federation’s large-scale military aggression against Georgia, occupation of an important part of its sovereign territory and mass ethnic cleansing conducted there, Russia’s attempts to mislead the international community and its own population and justify illegal acts committed in Georgia come as no surprise to anyone.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claims that the Ceasefire Agreement’s first paragraph on the non-use of force concerns ‘first of all the Georgian Authorities’. This claim, however, is only a product of the Russian side’s wrong interpretation. Neither the Ceasefire Agreement nor President Sarkozy’s explanations give any such definition. Provision on the non-use of force applies to and is equally binding on both, rather than either, of the parties to the conflict – Russia and Georgia. We’d like to remind the Russian side that it was the Russian Federation that continued to violate ceasefire within a number of days from the signing of the ceasefire agreement. Georgia, in the meantime, unilaterally announced ceasefire on 10 August and transmitted a respective official note to the Russian Federation. We remain committed to our obligations.
Another principle regarding abstinence from military actions was also subject to violation for several days by the Russian Federation, despite President Medvedev’s statement of 12 August on termination of military actions. Russian troops remain stationed on the occupied territories of Georgia – not only in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region but also outside the conflict zones. Moreover, Russia is planning to deploy military bases in the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. Against such background, the Russian side’s demagoguery ‘accusations’ concerning the threat of Georgia’s militarization served the only purpose of showing to the international community how much ‘consistently’ Russia is complying with its treaty commitments.
The Russian Federation is also in systematic violation of the third paragraph of the Ceasefire Agreement envisaging unhindered access of humanitarian cargoes to the Tskhinvali region. The international organizations concerned have confirmed repeatedly that Russian troops are barring them from entering the Tskhinvali region and distributing humanitarian aid there. It should also be noted that as a result of Russia-masterminded ethnic cleansing in the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia, which is still underway, tens of thousands of Georgian citizens were forced to leave their places of residence under direct threat from the part of Russian servicemen and illegal armed gangs. The international non-governmental organization HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH has confirmed repeatedly in its reports that Russian servicemen deny Georgians access to their homes.
Also groundless is the Russian Federation’s accusations against the Georgian Authorities concerning violation of the fourth principle. Georgian troops returned to the places of their permanent deployment before the French President-initiated ceasefire agreement was signed. And this return took place despite the fact that Russian troops robbed and inflicted heavy damage on the military bases in Gori and Senaki. Not a single military unit of the Georgian armed forces is presently stationed outside the place of its permanent deployment. The Russian side stubbornly keeps turning the blind eye to that. There is however one point on which we would agree with the Russian side – it concerns activation of the role of an international observer mission in Georgia. To put an end to the Russian side’s speculations is only possible through an effective international monitoring.
The Russian side’s statements with respect to the fifth principle contain mutually exclusive claims. On the one hand, the Russian side claims that it has concluded withdrawal of its troops from the territory of Georgia to the positions that existed prior to the war. However, it becomes known that a certain contingent of Russian troops still remain in the Tskhinvali region allegedly on request of the so-called ‘South Ossetian leadership’. It is a widely known fact that not a single paragraph of the Ceasefire Agreement envisages leaving any division of Russian troops on the territory of Georgia, except for a contingent designed for ‘temporary security measures’. It is interesting to note that over 17 000 Russian servicemen are currently stationed in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, based on the reliable information available to the Georgian side.
According to the Ceasefire Agreement, ‘temporary measures of security’ envisage patrolling in a radius of a few kilometers around Tskhinvali without the right to set up permanent checkpoints. The actual state of affairs, however, is that there are 23 illegal checkpoints functioning outside Abkhazia and South Ossetia staffed by 1000 Russian servicemen.
It also proceeds from the Russian side’s statements that they have defined a so-called ‘security zone around South Ossetia’ that has never been agreed between the sides. Nor the Ceasefire Agreement envisages creation of any such zone.
Totally unacceptable are the Russian side’s speculations with respect to the sixth point of the Ceasefire Agreement. By unleashing a large-scale military aggression against Georgia and occupation of its territories, the Russian side has itself disrupted all the agreements that used to regulate peacekeeping processes in both Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region prior to the breakout of the war. Georgia was forced to assert this new reality and repeal these agreements formally.
After conclusion of ‘temporary measures of security’ envisaged by the Ceasefire Agreement, there can be no talk about continuation of any form of Russian armed presence on the territory of Georgia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls on the Russian side to comply in good faith with the commitments undertaken before the international community, abstain from the use of hostile and inflammatory rhetoric and resort to the practice of resolving matters in a civilized way.
Through the use of the illegal Abkhaz and Tskhinvali regimes, employment of ethnic cleansing and misinformation as an instrument of foreign policy and the rhetoric aimed at misleading the international community, the Russian side is trying absolutely illegally to maintain its military presence on the territory of Georgia, continue invading a large part of the sovereign territory, legalize the consequences of the ethnic cleansing and thus inflict maximum damage on the development of the Georgian State.
Answer: First of all, it needs to be emphasized that contrary to the Russian side’s claim there is no document titled ‘Medvedev-Sarkoz’ plan or initiative. There applies a six-point ceasefire agreement, which French President Sarkozy offered to Russia and Georgia and which was signed by the President of Georgia on 15 August 2008 and by the President of Russia on 16 August.
Given the Russian Federation’s large-scale military aggression against Georgia, occupation of an important part of its sovereign territory and mass ethnic cleansing conducted there, Russia’s attempts to mislead the international community and its own population and justify illegal acts committed in Georgia come as no surprise to anyone.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claims that the Ceasefire Agreement’s first paragraph on the non-use of force concerns ‘first of all the Georgian Authorities’. This claim, however, is only a product of the Russian side’s wrong interpretation. Neither the Ceasefire Agreement nor President Sarkozy’s explanations give any such definition. Provision on the non-use of force applies to and is equally binding on both, rather than either, of the parties to the conflict – Russia and Georgia. We’d like to remind the Russian side that it was the Russian Federation that continued to violate ceasefire within a number of days from the signing of the ceasefire agreement. Georgia, in the meantime, unilaterally announced ceasefire on 10 August and transmitted a respective official note to the Russian Federation. We remain committed to our obligations.
Another principle regarding abstinence from military actions was also subject to violation for several days by the Russian Federation, despite President Medvedev’s statement of 12 August on termination of military actions. Russian troops remain stationed on the occupied territories of Georgia – not only in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region but also outside the conflict zones. Moreover, Russia is planning to deploy military bases in the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. Against such background, the Russian side’s demagoguery ‘accusations’ concerning the threat of Georgia’s militarization served the only purpose of showing to the international community how much ‘consistently’ Russia is complying with its treaty commitments.
The Russian Federation is also in systematic violation of the third paragraph of the Ceasefire Agreement envisaging unhindered access of humanitarian cargoes to the Tskhinvali region. The international organizations concerned have confirmed repeatedly that Russian troops are barring them from entering the Tskhinvali region and distributing humanitarian aid there. It should also be noted that as a result of Russia-masterminded ethnic cleansing in the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia, which is still underway, tens of thousands of Georgian citizens were forced to leave their places of residence under direct threat from the part of Russian servicemen and illegal armed gangs. The international non-governmental organization HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH has confirmed repeatedly in its reports that Russian servicemen deny Georgians access to their homes.
Also groundless is the Russian Federation’s accusations against the Georgian Authorities concerning violation of the fourth principle. Georgian troops returned to the places of their permanent deployment before the French President-initiated ceasefire agreement was signed. And this return took place despite the fact that Russian troops robbed and inflicted heavy damage on the military bases in Gori and Senaki. Not a single military unit of the Georgian armed forces is presently stationed outside the place of its permanent deployment. The Russian side stubbornly keeps turning the blind eye to that. There is however one point on which we would agree with the Russian side – it concerns activation of the role of an international observer mission in Georgia. To put an end to the Russian side’s speculations is only possible through an effective international monitoring.
The Russian side’s statements with respect to the fifth principle contain mutually exclusive claims. On the one hand, the Russian side claims that it has concluded withdrawal of its troops from the territory of Georgia to the positions that existed prior to the war. However, it becomes known that a certain contingent of Russian troops still remain in the Tskhinvali region allegedly on request of the so-called ‘South Ossetian leadership’. It is a widely known fact that not a single paragraph of the Ceasefire Agreement envisages leaving any division of Russian troops on the territory of Georgia, except for a contingent designed for ‘temporary security measures’. It is interesting to note that over 17 000 Russian servicemen are currently stationed in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, based on the reliable information available to the Georgian side.
According to the Ceasefire Agreement, ‘temporary measures of security’ envisage patrolling in a radius of a few kilometers around Tskhinvali without the right to set up permanent checkpoints. The actual state of affairs, however, is that there are 23 illegal checkpoints functioning outside Abkhazia and South Ossetia staffed by 1000 Russian servicemen.
It also proceeds from the Russian side’s statements that they have defined a so-called ‘security zone around South Ossetia’ that has never been agreed between the sides. Nor the Ceasefire Agreement envisages creation of any such zone.
Totally unacceptable are the Russian side’s speculations with respect to the sixth point of the Ceasefire Agreement. By unleashing a large-scale military aggression against Georgia and occupation of its territories, the Russian side has itself disrupted all the agreements that used to regulate peacekeeping processes in both Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region prior to the breakout of the war. Georgia was forced to assert this new reality and repeal these agreements formally.
After conclusion of ‘temporary measures of security’ envisaged by the Ceasefire Agreement, there can be no talk about continuation of any form of Russian armed presence on the territory of Georgia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls on the Russian side to comply in good faith with the commitments undertaken before the international community, abstain from the use of hostile and inflammatory rhetoric and resort to the practice of resolving matters in a civilized way.
Through the use of the illegal Abkhaz and Tskhinvali regimes, employment of ethnic cleansing and misinformation as an instrument of foreign policy and the rhetoric aimed at misleading the international community, the Russian side is trying absolutely illegally to maintain its military presence on the territory of Georgia, continue invading a large part of the sovereign territory, legalize the consequences of the ethnic cleansing and thus inflict maximum damage on the development of the Georgian State.
Franco Frattini visits Georgia
On 3 September 2008 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy Franco Frattini paid a visit to Georgia.
The Italian Foreign Minister met with his Georgian counterpart, Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili, Prime Minister Vladimer Gurgenidze, Minister of Refugees and Accommodation Tamar Martiashvili and President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili.
Mr. Frattini reaffirmed Italy’s support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and emphasized that Italy was one of the first countries to render Georgia humanitarian assistance and remains committed to further assist Georgia in case of necessity.
The Italian Foreign Minister focused on the decisions adopted by the leaders of the EU member states in Brussels and confirmed that 27 countries of Europe were unanimous in recognizing the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity and the necessity for Russia to comply with the six-point ceasefire agreement.
Following the meeting, Mrs. Tkeshelashvili and Mr. Frattini held a joint press conference.
Transcript of the joint briefing of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Republic of Italy:
Mrs. Eka Tkeshelashvili:
Thank you for your attendance. I had a very interesting meeting with Mr. Frattini and it is very important that this meeting was held shortly after the EU Council adopted its decision. We had a good opportunity to discuss in detail the essence and contents of this decision and share our views on a number of issues.
Of great importance in this context was to outline one fundamental point on which our positions fully coincide - it is our firm expectation from the Russian side to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. it is an imperative, which both the European Union and Italy have made clear in the aforesaid decision and this message to the Russian Federation is unequivocal, absolutely distinct and reinforced with certain timeline.
On 8 September the European Union will make at the highest level its first assessment of the extent to which Russia complies with the ceasefire agreement that will allow the European Union to determine its further steps with respect to the Russian Federation.
The decision adopted in Brussels was of paramount importance in many respects. First of all, the European Union’s motivation and involvement in the process of Georgia’s reconstruction and economic development was demonstrated very clearly. But even more important was the European Union’s unequivocal support for the Georgian Authorities. Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be always supported and reinforced by the European Union. Moreover, the European Union sent a clear signal to all other states to adhere to the same principle. The decision adopted in Brussels marks the start of a new process, which is just beginning to come into existence. Such are the general expectations of the European Union and Italy is one of the founders of EU values. Our great thanks for the Italian Government for this support and now let me give the floor to my colleague.
Mr. Franco Frattini:
Thank you very much. It was a great pleasure to be here to have this very fruitful dialogue with my dear college. I wanted to be here after the very important EU Council meeting. I want to stress the importance of walking together towards keeping balance and reaffirming commitment towards helping Georgia and people that are in need here and Italy played its part in this process.
Also, we want to reaffirm the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity and our good will to cooperate in order to get Georgia closer to European Union. This was very important decision that was taken by European Union unanimously and I would say Italy has playing a positive role.
What is very important is to send a strong message to the Russian Federation. Europe is united; Europe does want six points agreement to be fully implemented. So we want this to be a success before the visit of President Sarcozy on 8 September to Moscow. And I am here to reaffirm Italian commitment to cooperate towards the full implementation of the six-point agreement and implementation of the decision taken by the EU council. Italy is ready to play its part, first to contribute to improving capacity of getting Georgia closer to EU in many areas – visa regime, walking towards a free trade area between EU and Georgia, capacity to attract investments, capacity to reconstruct all areas that are damaged by this August crisis that led to losses of human lives.
Italy is ready to participate in launching a European Monitoring Mission in Georgia. We will ensure that the monitoring mission has an access to all the territory of Georgia, including South Ossetia. We need to remove all checkpoints that contradict the six-point agreement which talks about the patrolling by Russian troops and not establishing permanent checkpoints.
There is also another point of political cooperation between Georgia and EU. We want to offer opportunities not only for economic reconstruction, but to have a political dialogue between EU member states and Georgia. Italy intends to contribute to such discussions with thoughts in perspective of providing the European Commission with further elements to prepare a comprehensive proposal to be put on the table on the sidelines of the European Council by March.
But now we need urgent action and the urgent action is first of to guarantee as soon as possible in few days’ time before the visit of President Sarkozy the full implementation of the six-point agreement including the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia. You know we have decided to postpone technical negotiations with the Russian Federation until the withdrawal process is completed. We know the Russian Federation has announced this afternoon to have withdrawn troops from Poti area, we will check it.
On a bilateral point of view, I reaffirmed to my colleague the practical and political commitment of the Italian Government to cooperate in terms of humanitarian aid. Italy was the first country to be here on the 17th of August to send humanitarian aid for people who were in need of help. But what is more necessary is to guarantee a political support and we are ready to do exactly so, thank you.
The Italian Foreign Minister met with his Georgian counterpart, Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili, Prime Minister Vladimer Gurgenidze, Minister of Refugees and Accommodation Tamar Martiashvili and President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili.
Mr. Frattini reaffirmed Italy’s support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and emphasized that Italy was one of the first countries to render Georgia humanitarian assistance and remains committed to further assist Georgia in case of necessity.
The Italian Foreign Minister focused on the decisions adopted by the leaders of the EU member states in Brussels and confirmed that 27 countries of Europe were unanimous in recognizing the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity and the necessity for Russia to comply with the six-point ceasefire agreement.
Following the meeting, Mrs. Tkeshelashvili and Mr. Frattini held a joint press conference.
Transcript of the joint briefing of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the Republic of Italy:
Mrs. Eka Tkeshelashvili:
Thank you for your attendance. I had a very interesting meeting with Mr. Frattini and it is very important that this meeting was held shortly after the EU Council adopted its decision. We had a good opportunity to discuss in detail the essence and contents of this decision and share our views on a number of issues.
Of great importance in this context was to outline one fundamental point on which our positions fully coincide - it is our firm expectation from the Russian side to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. it is an imperative, which both the European Union and Italy have made clear in the aforesaid decision and this message to the Russian Federation is unequivocal, absolutely distinct and reinforced with certain timeline.
On 8 September the European Union will make at the highest level its first assessment of the extent to which Russia complies with the ceasefire agreement that will allow the European Union to determine its further steps with respect to the Russian Federation.
The decision adopted in Brussels was of paramount importance in many respects. First of all, the European Union’s motivation and involvement in the process of Georgia’s reconstruction and economic development was demonstrated very clearly. But even more important was the European Union’s unequivocal support for the Georgian Authorities. Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be always supported and reinforced by the European Union. Moreover, the European Union sent a clear signal to all other states to adhere to the same principle. The decision adopted in Brussels marks the start of a new process, which is just beginning to come into existence. Such are the general expectations of the European Union and Italy is one of the founders of EU values. Our great thanks for the Italian Government for this support and now let me give the floor to my colleague.
Mr. Franco Frattini:
Thank you very much. It was a great pleasure to be here to have this very fruitful dialogue with my dear college. I wanted to be here after the very important EU Council meeting. I want to stress the importance of walking together towards keeping balance and reaffirming commitment towards helping Georgia and people that are in need here and Italy played its part in this process.
Also, we want to reaffirm the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity and our good will to cooperate in order to get Georgia closer to European Union. This was very important decision that was taken by European Union unanimously and I would say Italy has playing a positive role.
What is very important is to send a strong message to the Russian Federation. Europe is united; Europe does want six points agreement to be fully implemented. So we want this to be a success before the visit of President Sarcozy on 8 September to Moscow. And I am here to reaffirm Italian commitment to cooperate towards the full implementation of the six-point agreement and implementation of the decision taken by the EU council. Italy is ready to play its part, first to contribute to improving capacity of getting Georgia closer to EU in many areas – visa regime, walking towards a free trade area between EU and Georgia, capacity to attract investments, capacity to reconstruct all areas that are damaged by this August crisis that led to losses of human lives.
Italy is ready to participate in launching a European Monitoring Mission in Georgia. We will ensure that the monitoring mission has an access to all the territory of Georgia, including South Ossetia. We need to remove all checkpoints that contradict the six-point agreement which talks about the patrolling by Russian troops and not establishing permanent checkpoints.
There is also another point of political cooperation between Georgia and EU. We want to offer opportunities not only for economic reconstruction, but to have a political dialogue between EU member states and Georgia. Italy intends to contribute to such discussions with thoughts in perspective of providing the European Commission with further elements to prepare a comprehensive proposal to be put on the table on the sidelines of the European Council by March.
But now we need urgent action and the urgent action is first of to guarantee as soon as possible in few days’ time before the visit of President Sarkozy the full implementation of the six-point agreement including the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Georgia. You know we have decided to postpone technical negotiations with the Russian Federation until the withdrawal process is completed. We know the Russian Federation has announced this afternoon to have withdrawn troops from Poti area, we will check it.
On a bilateral point of view, I reaffirmed to my colleague the practical and political commitment of the Italian Government to cooperate in terms of humanitarian aid. Italy was the first country to be here on the 17th of August to send humanitarian aid for people who were in need of help. But what is more necessary is to guarantee a political support and we are ready to do exactly so, thank you.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Statement regarding the Extraordinary European Council Meeting
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia commends the conclusions adopted by the extraordinary meeting of the leaders of the EU member states unanimously condemning the Russian Federation’s decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is underlined in the statement that a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict must be based on full respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
In compliance with the Georgian Parliament’s Resolution of 28 August 2008 the Georgian side remains committed to the ceasefire agreement achieved on 12 August 2008 on the basis of the European Union’s mediation efforts and welcomes the European Council’s decision on the necessity of full and immediate implementation of the aforesaid agreement.
The Georgian side welcomes the European Council’s decision to participate actively in developing an international monitoring mechanism in the conflict regions so as to replace additional Russian military troops deployed on the territory of Georgia outside the conflict zone, as provided for in point 5 of the ceasefire agreement.
The Georgian side attaches a paramount importance to the European Council’s decision to further strengthen the European Union’s role in securing a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Georgia.
The Georgian side expresses its gratitude to the European Union for its assistance already rendered or planned towards economic rehabilitation of Georgia, including the regions affected by hostilities, and commends the European Union’s readiness to further deepen cooperation with Georgia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia positively assesses the European Union’s decision to postpone meetings on the negotiation of the Partnership Agreement with Russia until Russian troops have withdrawn to the positions held prior to 7 August, as stipulated in the Ceasefire Agreement.
The Georgian side expresses its readiness to cooperate actively with EU member states as well as EU institutes to ensure full and timely implementation of the decisions of the Extraordinary European Council Meeting.
In compliance with the Georgian Parliament’s Resolution of 28 August 2008 the Georgian side remains committed to the ceasefire agreement achieved on 12 August 2008 on the basis of the European Union’s mediation efforts and welcomes the European Council’s decision on the necessity of full and immediate implementation of the aforesaid agreement.
The Georgian side welcomes the European Council’s decision to participate actively in developing an international monitoring mechanism in the conflict regions so as to replace additional Russian military troops deployed on the territory of Georgia outside the conflict zone, as provided for in point 5 of the ceasefire agreement.
The Georgian side attaches a paramount importance to the European Council’s decision to further strengthen the European Union’s role in securing a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Georgia.
The Georgian side expresses its gratitude to the European Union for its assistance already rendered or planned towards economic rehabilitation of Georgia, including the regions affected by hostilities, and commends the European Union’s readiness to further deepen cooperation with Georgia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia positively assesses the European Union’s decision to postpone meetings on the negotiation of the Partnership Agreement with Russia until Russian troops have withdrawn to the positions held prior to 7 August, as stipulated in the Ceasefire Agreement.
The Georgian side expresses its readiness to cooperate actively with EU member states as well as EU institutes to ensure full and timely implementation of the decisions of the Extraordinary European Council Meeting.
Georgia terminates Diplomatic Relations with the Russian Federation
On 2 September 2008 Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Georgia A. Smaga was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Director of the Department of Russia Ir. Toronjadze presented two Notes to the Russian Envoy.
One Note indicates that with respect to Russia’s hostile actions, in particular military aggression against Georgia, invasion of a part of the Georgian territory, ethnic cleansing conducted in Georgia’s internationally recognized parts – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region and illegal recognition of their so-called independence, and on the basis of Resolution N243 of the Parliament of Georgia (28 August 2008), Georgia terminates the Protocol of 2 July 1992 on the ‘Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Georgia and the Russian Federation’.
The other Note of the Georgian Foreign Ministry notifies the Russian side that in compliance with paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (24 April 1963), the Georgian side maintains consular relations with the Russian Federation and the Consular Office (consul, two vice-consuls, technical personnel) continues its activity.
Director of the Department of Russia Ir. Toronjadze presented two Notes to the Russian Envoy.
One Note indicates that with respect to Russia’s hostile actions, in particular military aggression against Georgia, invasion of a part of the Georgian territory, ethnic cleansing conducted in Georgia’s internationally recognized parts – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region and illegal recognition of their so-called independence, and on the basis of Resolution N243 of the Parliament of Georgia (28 August 2008), Georgia terminates the Protocol of 2 July 1992 on the ‘Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Georgia and the Russian Federation’.
The other Note of the Georgian Foreign Ministry notifies the Russian side that in compliance with paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (24 April 1963), the Georgian side maintains consular relations with the Russian Federation and the Consular Office (consul, two vice-consuls, technical personnel) continues its activity.
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