AA / Paris / Ümit Dönmez
French diplomacy reiterated, this Thursday, August 7, its attachment to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, seventeen years after the start of the Russian-Georgian conflict in August 2008.
By way of a press release, the spokesman for the French ministry of Europe and foreign affairs recalled that France “reaffirms its full attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia in its internationally recognized borders”.
The text also condemns the unilateral recognition by Russia of the separatist authorities of Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia, considering that “the militarization of these regions, as well as the obstacles put to the relations between these and the rest of the Georgia constitute unacceptable attacks on international law”.
France calls for Moscow to honor the commitments made within the framework of the cease-fire agreements of August 12 and September 8, 2008, negotiated at the time under the French President of the European Union.
The press release also underlines the constant support of Paris to the Geneva International Discussions platform (DIG), co-led by the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations, presented as “the only framework for discussion” allowing to “work in favor of a common solution”.
The Quai d’Orsay finally insisted on the continuation of French engagement, alongside its European partners, in the efforts of observation and mediation in the field. France will thus continue to support the work of the European Observation Mission in Georgia (EUMM) as well as that of the special representative of the European Union for the South Caucase and the crisis in Georgia.
The 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia broke out after a climbing of tensions in the separatist region of South Ossétie, supported by Moscow. During the night of August 7 to 8, the Georgian forces had launched an offensive to regain control of this region, causing a massive military response from Russia. In five days, Russian troops entered Georgian territory beyond the separatist areas, before the entry into force of a cease-fire negotiated under French mediation.
Since then, Russia has recognized the independence of southern Ossetia and Abkhazia, deploying permanent military bases in these territories, in violation of international law according to Tbilissi and its Western allies. Georgia still considers these two regions to be occupied.
The French declaration of this August 7 comes in a context where tensions remain lively in the Southern Caucasus, marked by a reinforced Russian military presence and persistent instability at the borders. Seventeen years after the war, the status quo remains frozen, and the prospects for political settlement always appear uncertain.
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