Criticism of Russia’s occupant actions in Georgia at UN assembly
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, September 21
Several world leaders delivering speeches at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly stressed the importance of peace and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
They strongly supported Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in their speeches and condemned Russia’s illegal activities in Georgia.
President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite was severely critical of Russia in her address.
“Despite Russia’s special responsibility to protect international peace as permanent member of the Security Council, it violated the UN Charter by attacking Georgia, illegally annexing Crimea, and directly participating in the war in Eastern Ukraine,” Grybauskaite stated.
Russia’s delegation did not listen to the speech as they left the assembly prior to the Lithuanian President’s address.
The Polish President accused Russia of violating the UN charter.
“For almost ten years in Georgia, and for the third year in Ukraine, have we been witnessing obvious violation of fundamental principles of UN Charter, including the principle of inviolability of borders, respect of sovereignty, renouncing the use of military force in resolution of disputes,” President Andrzej Duda declared.
Slovak President Andrej Kiska stressed that Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova know the value of peace very well.
He stressed the countries’ sovereignty was affected by the actions of an aggressive neighbor.
The Turkish President stressed his support to Georgia’s and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and stressed that the peaceful resolution of the Abkhazia, Tskhinvali and Nagorno Karabakh conflicts are critical for regional stability.
President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid stressed in her address that part of Georgia remains occupied.
“Ongoing military aggression in Eastern Ukraine continues to stir conflict and cause casualties amongst civilians, including the loss of a member of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission. The Crimean peninsula remains occupied, as do parts of Georgia. There are also protracted conflicts in Transdnistria and Nagorno Karabakh,” Kaljulaid stated.
President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili tweeted that he was thankful to the leaders for their words and support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze stated that the Georgian PM’s speech will also strongly condemn Russia’s actions in Georgia.
