A spokesperson for the European Union has published a statement on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war. The statement notes that the consequences of this war continue to undermine the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia, while also continuing to have a severe impact on people’s lives.
“We condemn Russia’s decision to recognize the so-called occupied self-proclaimed regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and consider that the continued presence of Russian armed forces and their actions in these regions without the consent of the Georgian government are illegal, violate international law, and contradict the commitments undertaken by Russia under the six-point agreement reached on August 12, 2008.”
The EU is concerned about the Russian Federation’s growing attempts to de facto integrate the occupied self-proclaimed regions — Abkhazia and South Ossetia — into its own legal and security space.
“The so-called agreement ‘on deepening allied cooperation’ signed on May 9 between Moscow and Tskhinvali, as well as the appointment of a Russian official as the so-called ‘acting president’ of South Ossetia, have no legal effect under international law,” the EU spokesperson noted.
The statement emphasizes that over the past 18 years, the local population has faced humanitarian challenges and suffered from human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of movement and unlawful detentions. Obstacles preventing the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes remain in place.
“The European Union’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Georgia remains unwavering, including through its role as co-chair of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), the ongoing activities of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and the continuous work of the only international monitoring mission on the ground — the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia).
We call on all participants in the Geneva International Discussions to engage constructively in discussions to achieve full implementation of the six-point agreement of August 12, 2008, and the subsequent agreement on implementing measures of September 8, 2008.
The European Union continues to firmly support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders and remains committed to promoting peace in the region,” the statement reads.
