Georgia is accusing Russia of attempting to compromise Georgia and artificially escalate the tensions in the conflict regions. This statement was made by Georgian Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili on May 21, while Ms. Tkeshelashvili was commenting on the remarks made by Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the concentration of troops at the administrative border of the conflict regions.
The text of Minister's statement is published on the website of Georgian Foreign Ministry.
"Against the backdrop of provocative actions and lately aggravated aggressive rhetoric against Georgia, Russian officials, including Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, are making statements claiming that Georgia is concentrating its troops near the administrative border of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region of South Ossetia, and planning to start war operations. I categorically declare that such unfounded accusations have the purpose to compromise the democratic image of Georgia in the eyes of the international community and to artificially escalate tensions in the conflict areas", Tkeshelashvili said.
Georgian Foreign Minister stressed, "Georgia has not carried out any concentration of its armed forces in conflict regions, which is also testified in the report by Mission of UN Observers published dated April 21".
"Georgia has always been and always will be advocating the solution of conflicts on its territories through peaceful means only," Tkeshelashvili stated.
According to Ms. Tkeshelashvili, Georgia's leadership considers direct dialogue with the de facto government of Abkhazia as one of the tools to relieve the tension.
"Visit of Georgian President's Representative, Georgia's Envoy to the United Nations, Irakly Alasania to Sukhumi (capital of Abkhazia) on May 11 and 12 served the same cause. Georgia will keep trying to continue the direct dialogue with the Abkhaz fellow countrymen. Especially when the Abkhaz side is interested in maintaining peace as well, which is a good prerequisite for the success," Ms. Tkeshelashvili mentioned.
In conclusion, Georgian Foreign Minister stressed that Georgia's leadership is aware of the responsibility before all citizens without exception, including the population living in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region of South Ossetia.
"The aim of our policy is a rescue of the Abkhaz ethnic group", Tkeshelashvili announced.
Meanwhile, Georgia's Defense Ministry regards events at the Inguri Bridge as a provocation. Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia has commented on the events in Gali region.
According to his statement, the situation in the conflict zone is under control and residents of the border areas can take part in the elections. Kutelia called the explosion of a bus at the Inguri Bridge as a provocation and said that "there are many destructive forces that do not want to see elections taking place in a calm atmosphere".
Several hours ago Abkhaz police opened fire on a passenger bus near the village of Hurcha, when part of the population of Gali tried to cross the administrative border to take part in the parliamentary elections.
Kavkaz Center
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