Tbilisi Condemns Moscow’s ‘Direct Ties’ with Tskhinvali

In a note sent to Russia on June 26, the Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed protest over Moscow “unilateral actions” and “direct cooperation” with the breakaway South Ossetian authorities without prior agreement with Tbilisi.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry cited a joint session of Russia’s North Ossetian Republic and breakaway South Ossetia, as well as Russia’s separate funding for unrecognized republic by-passing OSCE-led rehabilitation projects as a confirmation of Moscow’s unilateral actions in respect of breakaway South Ossetia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia assesses any measure carried out by the Russian side in the Tskhinvali district/South Ossetia without coordinating it with the Georgian Central Authorities as a violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law, including the principles of respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and demands from the Russian side prevention of recurrence of such practices,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on June 26.

Meanwhile, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze is visiting Moscow on June 26-28 to participate in a Ministerial Conference on drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan. On the sideline of the event, Merab Antadze will hold bilateral consultations with the Russian Foreign Ministry officials.

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