Tbilisi Protests Visit of Russian Senators to Abkhazia

Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze described the visit of a group of Russian senators, led by Victor Ozerov, and the latter’s statements made during the visit as “disrespect” towards Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Victor Ozerov, the Chairman of the Defense Committee of Council of Federation of Russia, said following the talks with Abkhaz leadership that Georgia’s possible withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) “does not mean that Abkhazia should also quit this organization.”

“This statement directly confirms that Mr. Ozerov does not recognize sovereignty and independence of Georgia and of course, we will have a relevant reaction,” Nino Burjanadze said at a session of the parliamentary bureau on May 22.