Georgia must take obligation of non-use of force against Abkhazia and South Ossetia — Russian foreign minister

Read it in Russian

Russia speaks for Georgia undertaking unconditional obligations on non-use of force against Abkhazia and South Ossetia without preconditions, said Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, while speaking at the Russian State Duma today, on May 20.

Reminding that within recent months seven drones have been shot down above the Abkhaz territory, Lavrov called upon the Georgian leadership to take “practical actions that would promote the economic development of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” Lavrov also stressed that Russia fulfills all pledges given to Georgia, it resumed the air links with Georgia, canceled several visa restrictions, expert consultations are being prepared that are to bring back the Georgian foodstuffs to the Russian market. “We expect reciprocal adequate reaction from the Georgian side. We have not seen that yet,” Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister assessed as tense the situation in the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflict zones. “Contrary to the Moscow Treaty, Georgia is drawing up forces at the borders of the conflict zones, increases purchase of offensive weapons,” said Sergey Lavrov and reminded that recently Georgia proposed peaceful initiatives to grant a wider autonomy to the unrecognized republics. “We do not breach the international law. For us, improving life in the republics is the unconditional priority,” the Russian foreign minister stressed, commenting on Moscow's decision to withdraw from the sanctions against Abkhazia of 1996.