US Congressman Submits Resolution against Syria’s Recognition of Georgian Occupied Regions
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, September 13
A resolution condemning the recognition of Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent states by Syria has been presented to the US Congress – Georgian Foreign Ministry has reported.
The resolution is sponsored by Congressman Francis Rooney, the US Representative for Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
The document reiterates unconditional and strong support to Georgia, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Foreign Ministry says.
“The House of Representatives recognizes Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reaffirms that the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, currently occupied by the Russian Federation, are territories of Georgia and condemns the decision by the Syrian Arab Republic, which is a client state of the Russian Federation, to recognize the independence of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” the resolution text reads.
The document says that the Syrian Arab Republic is a “failed client-state” of the Russia and Russia uses such countries for its own geopolitical interests.
Syria announced its decision to establish diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia in May 2018, which was strongly condemned by Georgia and the international community.
The US state department shortly included Syria in a list of countries which will no longer be eligible to receive US funding.
The reason behind the ban was the US legislative act adopted in May 2017, which supports Georgia’s territorial integrity.
No country can receive funding from the United States if it recognizes the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied by Russia, or establishes diplomatic ties with them independently of Georgia.
Since the Russia-Georgia 2008 War, only Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognized Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states.
The rest of the world countries say that the regions are occupied by Russia.
