50 Georgian MPs Appeal to NATO and the EU Concerning Russian Base in Occupied Ochamchire
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, November 3, 2023
50 opposition MPs in the Georgian parliament have made an appeal to NATO and EU countries concerning the Russian bases in the occupied region of Ochamchire in Georgia. In their statement, they strongly condemn Russia's occupation of Georgian territory, militarization, and any actions aimed at annexation.
The statement is a call for international attention and support to address Russia's actions in Georgia, particularly in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and De facto South Ossetia, and to safeguard Georgia's sovereignty, security, and democratic development.
MPs strongly denounced Russia's occupation, militarization, and efforts aimed at annexation in occupied regions of Georgia such as Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. They highlighted Russia's decision to permanently station its navy in Ochamchire in Abkhazia as a cause for concern, affecting not only Georgia's sovereignty but also regional and international security.
They stressed the threat Russia poses not only to Georgia but to the entire Black Sea region and the Euro-Atlantic space due to its aggressive actions. The placement of the Russian military fleet in Ochamchire is seen as a potential obstacle to the Middle Corridor project initiated by the EU.
"We unanimously and resolutely condemn Russia's occupation, militarization, and any actions directed at annexing the occupied regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. This condemnation extends to the recent decision to permanently station the Russian Navy in the port of Ochamchire in occupied Abkhazia and the attempt to integrate these regions into the Russian-Belarus union.
We believe that Russia's decision poses an additional challenge, not only to Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty but also to the security of the broader Black Sea region and the Euro-Atlantic space. The permanent basing of Russia's military fleet in Ochamchire port, within occupied Abkhazia, poses a threat to the Middle Corridor project initiated by the European Union, especially as Georgia awaits the European Union's decision on its candidate status," the statement reads.
The MPs called on Georgia's allies and strategic partners to take a united stand against Russia's occupation and annexation policy. They urge international support as crucial for Georgia's development and security.
They expressed their readiness to work closely with other legislative bodies to protect the rules-based international system and fundamental international law.
They emphasized that their statement represents the united position of the parliamentary opposition due to the ruling party's refusal to adopt a joint resolution in parliament.
"We urge the international community, Georgia's allies, and strategic partners to take a unified and resolute stand against Russia's continued occupation and annexation policy, which is crucial for Georgia's democracy, security, prosperity, and long-term peaceful development.
We call for the international community to recognize and effectively utilize the decision of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the August 2008 war between the Russian Federation and Georgia, and its aftermath, as an instrument to combat Russia's occupation and human rights violations in the occupied regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia.
We reiterate our readiness to continue intensive and proactive cooperation with legislative bodies and parliamentary assemblies to coordinate efforts in safeguarding the rules-based international system and fundamental norms of international law."
