Temporary Gov’t of Venezuela Ready to Reverse Recognition of Georgia’s Occupied Regions
By Tea Mariamidze
Thursday, January 31
The temporary government of Venezuela is ready to abolish the decision about the recognition of Georgia’s two Russian occupied regions – Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries.
The statement was made by Gustavo Tarre, a diplomat named by Venezuela's National Assembly on 22 January 2019 as a Special Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).
Tarre was asked a question by a Georgian journalist if Venezuela would reverse recognition of Georgia’s occupied regions.
“Of course we will. We do not plan to continue the policies of the Maduro Administration. We are not afraid of Russia,” he said.
Former Ambassador of the United States to Venezuela, William Brownfield, also spoke about Venezuela's withdrawal of the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The American diplomat said that Georgia has the right not to only advise but to request from Venezuela abolition of its recognition of Georgian occupied regions.
Tweeting on 24 January, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said Georgia recognizes Juan Guaido as Interim President of Venezuela.
“We express the hope that the National Assembly of Venezuela will establish a transitional government, prepare free and fair elections and ensure a peaceful transition of power. Georgia supports the courageous people of Venezuela in their fight for democracy,” the PM stated.
For expressing the position of Georgia, US Secretary of the State Security Council and National Security Advisor, John Bolton, thanked Georgia's PM for recognizing Juan Guaido as the Interim President of Venezuela.
Bolton took to Twitter to express his appreciation of the Georgian PM. He said that during a phone conversation with Bakhtadze, both sides also discussed important issues of bilateral cooperation.
Venezuela recognised Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states in 2009, following the lead of Russia and Nicaragua which did the same.
The two regions of Georgia were occupied by the Russian Federation in the wake of the August War 2008, after which Russia deployed its troops in both regions and turned them into its military bases.
In total five countries recognise “the independence” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Syria.
The rest of the international community supports Georgia’s sovereignty and confirms the two regions are integral parts of Georgia.
