Poland comments on developments in Georgia’s breakaway regions

By Tea Mariamidze

Friday, March 17

The so-called March 12 elections in Abkhazia were also condemned by NATO, Estonia, Azerbaijan and the European Union.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Republic of Poland released a statement over recent developments in Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The Polish MFA strongly condemns the closure of checkpoints with Abkhazia, the holding of “parliamentary elections” in Abkhazia, and the announcements about “presidential elections” and a “referendum” in the Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.

“The closure of two checkpoints (Nabakevi-Khurcha and Orsantia-Otobaia) along the line separating territories controlled by breakaway Sokhumi from those controlled by the legitimate authorities in Tbilisi, the holding of so-called 'parliamentary elections' in Abkhazia on 12 March 2017, and the scheduling for 9 April 2017 of so-called 'presidential elections' and a 'referendum' in the Tskhinvali/South Ossetia region are provocative and illegal actions under international law,” the statement of Poland’s MFA reads, adding that these are steps taken against the official position of the government in Tbilisi, by the unrecognized separatist authorities of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions, in a part of Georgian territory that has been under occupation for over eight years.

The ministry reaffirms the Polish Government’s unchanging position on the recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity, which, according to the Polish government, was violated by Russian aggression in August 2008.

The Ministry also supports the need to restore the legitimate Georgian government’s jurisdiction over the entire state territory within its internationally recognized borders, and the non-recognition of the separatist authorities of Abkhazia and the South Ossetia region or their actions.

“Actions by the unrecognized separatist authorities of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali/South Ossetia region are not conducive to settling a complex security situation in the region, while also hampering the Geneva talks and undermining efforts by the Georgian government to reintegrate the country within the borders which are recognized by the international community,” the statement reads.

The Polish government strongly objects to any actions preparing the ground for creeping annexation of sovereign Georgia’s territory, which could lead to the escalation of tensions in the Southern Caucasus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland urges all participants in the Geneva Talks to use diplomatic instruments and work out a political solution to the problem of the Abkhazia and the South Ossetia regions, which remain integral parts of the Georgian state.