The leader of the opposition party “For Georgia,” Giorgi Gakharia, has reacted to the intentions of Lithuania and the EU to demand that Syria withdraw its recognition of Georgia’s occupied territories—the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. Writing on social media, the opposition politician stated that Georgia’s territorial integrity cannot be a bargaining chip, and occupation and annexation cannot be normalized.
Gakharia writes that against the backdrop of the Georgian government’s “treacherous silence,” the European Union’s consistent policy of non-recognition of the de facto annexation of the Tskhinvali region is of critical importance.
“We welcome the proactive steps taken by the European Union in its relations with Syria, aimed at reversing the illegal recognition of the occupied Georgian regions—Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region—by Russia.
Against the backdrop of the Georgian government’s treacherous silence regarding the ongoing de facto annexation of the Tskhinvali region (effectively its incorporation into Russia), the EU’s consistent policy of non-recognition of the occupied territories is of critical importance for protecting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Occupation and annexation cannot be normalized. Georgia’s territorial integrity cannot be a bargaining chip. The reaction of the Tskhinvali regime to this step by the European Union confirms its significance.
We thank our partners for their firm support and protection of Georgia’s vital interests, especially given the collaborationist policy of the ‘Georgian Dream’ government towards the occupying state,” Gakharia wrote.
