MFA Dismisses Criticisms of UN Abkhaz Resolution

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) welcomed the UN Security Council’s March 31 resolution on Abkhazia, which reaffirms support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The opposition Republican Party condemned the resolution as “a defeat of Georgian diplomacy,” as the document does not contain a provision about “the necessity to define the status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia” as stated in previous resolutions of the UN Security Council.

But the Georgian MFA said the resolution is “a step forward” compared to the January 31, 2006 resolution which was “a technical roll-over,” simply extending the mandate of UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).

The Georgian MFA also said the March 31 resolution also makes a reference to the UN Security Council’s resolution 1615 of 29 July 2005, which notes “the necessity to define the status of Abkhazia within the State of Georgia.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry has also welcomed the Security Council’s March 31 resolution on Abkhazia.