On 6 August, the European Union reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s continued military presence in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of both international law and of Russia’s commitments under the 12 August 2008 six-point agreement.
In a statement on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the start of the war between Russia and Georgia, which began on the night of 7 to 8 August 2008, EU High Representative Josep Borrell expressed the European Union’s firm commitment to a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in Georgia.
“The human rights of conflict-affected communities in Georgia continue to be violated, including through ’borderization’ policies, closures of crossing points and illegal detentions by the Russian military and de facto authorities,” the statement said. “Restrictions on freedom of movement must end, violations of human rights must be investigated, and justice must be ensured for all victims.”
Borrell added that the EU remained fully committed to peaceful conflict resolution, including through the EU’s engagement as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions (GID), through the work of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and through the continued presence on the ground of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM Georgia).
The European Union also reiterated its unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.
“The occupation is not forgotten! We will never get used to it and we will never accept it,” the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, wrote on social media Wednesday. “August contains a tragic memory for the history of Georgia. 16 years since the last invasion of Russia, the occupation is not forgotten! We will never get used to it and we will never accept it!
“Georgia will firmly remain on its European path and will resolutely resist any destabilization attempts,” she added.
Former President Mikheil Saakashvili also took to social media on the anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war. “In 2008, our army stood strong, people took to the streets, I stayed in Tbilisi and brought the world to our feet; our partners came to Tbilisi and the Americans sent a fleet to save Georgia’s statehood,” he said, going on to note that he is being held captive only “because Georgia did not surrender to the enemy.”
“We remember the events of August 2008 and their painful impact on the Georgian people to this day – Russia’s continuous violation of the 2008 ceasefire agreement emphasizes the ongoing struggle for peace and stability in the region,” the statement of the US Embassy in Georgia noted.
“The United States continues to advocate for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the statement concludes.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the 16th anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Georgia.
“16 years after Russia’s aggression against Georgia, the European Parliament’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and European aspirations of its people remains unwavering,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, NATO once again called for Russia to withdraw its troops.
“We call on Russia to withdraw the forces stationed in Georgia, which were deployed there without Georgia’s consent. Despite 16 years of Russian occupation, South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia. NATO fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia,” said the NATO spokesperson.
In the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war, 170 employees of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, 14 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 224 civilians were killed. The total number of wounded and injured civilian and military persons is 2,232, among them, 1,045 persons are military personnel.
By Team GT
