EU, NATO Condemn Russia's 16-Year Partial Occupation of Georgia and Call on the Aggressor to Withdraw Troops

On the anniversary of the beginning of Russia's armed aggression against Georgia, EU and NATO officials recalled that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are parts of Georgia despite Russia's longstanding occupation.

NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah and EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell made the statement at Platform X.

"We call on Russia to withdraw the troops it has deployed in Georgia without its consent. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are part of Georgia, despite 16 years of Russian occupation. NATO fully supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the NATO spokeswoman wrote.

In his turn, Borrell condemned the ongoing occupation and called for a peaceful resolution of the unfinished conflict.

The EU's chief diplomat reminded that 7 August will mark the 16th anniversary of the 2008 Russian-Georgian war.

"We underline our condemnation of Russia's continued military presence in the occupied separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which is a violation of both international law and Russia's commitments under the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008," he said.

The diplomat also recalled human rights violations in the communities that continue to suffer the consequences of this war, in particular through Russia's policy of "borderisation", closure of checkpoints and unlawful detention of citizens.

"Restrictions on freedom of movement must end, human rights violations must be investigated, and justice must be provided for all victims," he stressed. 

Borrell noted that the EU stands for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through the EU's participation in the so-called Geneva discussions.

"We call on all participants in the Geneva discussions to engage constructively in the discussions in order to fully implement the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008. The EU underlines its unwavering support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders," said Josep Borrell.  

Russia invaded Georgia on 7 August 2008. As a result of the war, Georgia lost control of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. On 26 August 2008, Russia declared these regions allegedly "independent".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also issued a statement on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the Russian aggression against Georgia, in which it stressed the immutability of the Kremlin's policy of imperialism in the South Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe.