The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemns the signing of the so-called agreement to incorporate the unlawful military units in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) with the Russian Armed Forces.
In a statement released yesterday the ministry said that this development represents "yet another step towards the annexation” of two breakaway Georgian regions - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
The ministry believes that this is "a total disregard” for the fundamental principles of international law.
"This provocative step and unambiguous aggression against the Georgian statehood on the part of the Russian Federation is directed towards destabilisation of the situation in the region and the ultimate destruction of the European security system. In this way, the Russian Federation is seriously harming the Geneva International Discussions and is intentionally obstructing any potential progress in the peace process,” the statement read.
"Against the background of integration of Georgia’s occupied regions into the military system of the Russian Federation, it is all the more disturbing that Moscow still declines the non-use of force commitment and impedes the creation of international security arrangements in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali regions.”
The statement called for Russia to desist from the practice of "provocative actions,” and to comply with the provisions of the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement by withdrawing its military units from the territory of Georgia.
It also appealed to the international community to duly assess the aggressive steps by Russia and take the necessary measures to effectively react to the situation in Georgia’s occupied regions.
The illegal deal reached between Russia and de-facto authorities in Tskhvinali allows military personnel from Georgia’s breakaway region of Tskhinvali to serve in the Russian army.