15 countries react to ‘presidential elections’ in occupied Abkhazia
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America 'do not recognise the legitimacy’ of the so-called ‘presidential elections’. Photo: Adjara TV.
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Fifteen countries have reacted to the ‘presidential elections’ in Georgia’s Russian occupied region of Abkhazia and said they ‘do not recognise the legitimacy’ of the so-called ‘presidential elections’.
These countries are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
We reiterate our full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, and remain deeply concerned over the continued occupation of the territory of Georgia,” says the announcement of these countries.
The countries urged Russia to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement signed in 2008 including the “withdrawal of its forces to their positions prior to the outbreak of hostilities and the provision of free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.”
We also call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” says the joint announcement of the countries.
Estonia ???????? together with ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? condemns the so-called presidential elections in occupied Abkhazia. We reiterate our full support for the territorial integrity & sovereignty of #Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.
— Estonian MFA ???????? (@MFAestonia) March 22, 2020
➡️https://t.co/O0YgJxEmgy
So-called repeat ‘presidential elections’ took place in Abkhazia on March 22, 2020, after a de facto court in the region announced the previous ‘elections’ as illegitimate.
Abkhazia’s former leader Raul Khajimba resigned soon after the de facto court ruling.
Three candidates were participating in the race for the de facto Abkhaz ‘presidency’ including Adgur Ardzinba, Aslan Bzhania and Leonid Dzapshba.
Aslan Bzhania won the ‘elections’ with more than 56 per cent of the votes.
The two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) have been recognised as ‘independent states’ only by Russia, Venezuela, Nikaragua, Nauru and Syria since the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. The rest of the international community recognises both regions as integral parts of Georgia.
De facto presidential elections in the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia will be held on March 22, local media reported based on information released by the region’s “Central Election Commission” today.
The European Union does not recognise the ‘presidential elections’ in Georgia’s Russian occupied region of Abkhazia. The EU says that it will continue its policy of non-recognition and engagement in this regard.
The international community does not recognise the so-called “parliamentary elections” in the Russia-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia. Earlier today, the Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the Abkhaz “presidential elections” as “illegal”.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemns the ongoing “presidential elections” in the Russia-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia as “illegal”. The Foreign Ministry said these "elections" fully contradict the fundamental norms and principles of international law and blatantly violate Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The winner of the de facto presidential elections in Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, says that Georgia and the Abkhaz need a bilateral format of talks to settle ‘everyday or transborder issues.’
The de facto government of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region has dismissed reports on the alleged visit of a de facto Abkhaz official to Tbilisi-controlled territory for negotiations on trade and economic issues.
Akhra Avidzba, 35, a former foreign relations aide to de facto president of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region Aslan Bzhania has been arrested in Sokhumi (Abkhazia), local media has reported.
De facto President of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region Aslan Bzhania is visiting Syria.