Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

On 22 November 2016, the President of the Russian Federation signed the law on the ratification of the so-called "agreement" with Sokhumi occupation regime on the establishment of Joint Group of Armed Forces.

These kinds of provocative steps by the Russian Federation are directed towards the annexation of the occupied regions of Georgia, which is a complete disregard of the fundamental principles and norms of the international law and undermines the established international order.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns this illegal step by the Russian Federation, which represents a rude violation of the territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the sovereign state, and a demonstration of aggression against Georgia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the Russian Federation to honor the undertaken obligations​ and fully comply with the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement​, withdraw its military units from the occupied territories of Georgia and ensure the establishment of international security arrangements in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on international community to give a due assessment to the aggressive moves of the Russian Federation and take effective measures to avoid further aggravation of the security situation in the region.

November 23, 2016, Tbilisi, Georgia