UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly calls on Russia to Fulfill 2008 Ceasefire Agreement Obligations
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, March 20, 2023
The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, stated at a briefing held together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili that the UK continues to support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement.
James Cleverley thanked Ilia Darchiashvili for a warm welcome and talked about the United Kingdom-Georgia partnership throughout the years.
"Thank you very much for giving me such a warm welcome in Georgia. We had the chance to meet on a number of occasions and talked regularly. Recently, I had the opportunity to host you in London, within the framework of the Wardrop Dialogue, but this is my first opportunity to come to Georgia. I was very warmly received in your beautiful country. Georgia has been an important and valuable strategic partner for the United Kingdom for a long time. Our countries have had a very solid relationship for the last 30 years, since we re-established diplomatic relations, went through a long period of bilateral cooperation, and got the maximum benefit from our historical ties.
I remember the visit of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to your country in 1987. Four years later, the collapse of the Soviet Union took place, and your desire for freedom and self-determination was clear even then, and now it is even stronger." Cleverley said.
In his speech, James Cleverly spoke about Russian aggression in Georgia in 2008 and its devastating impact on the country. Cleverly emphasized that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are integral parts of Georgia and called on Russia to fulfill its 2008 ceasefire agreement obligations:
"Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a total rejection of international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty, is certainly not shocking to you. In 2008, Russia's aggression in Georgia and its continued presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia caused very deep human suffering, divided the country, families, and limited access to ancestral lands and sacred religious places.
We continue to support your sovereignty and territorial integrity. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are integral parts of Georgia, and we call on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement," said Cleverly.
