Tbilisi, Georgia, Jan.22
By Nana Kirtzkhalia -Trend:
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili condemned Russia's decision to transfer the Russian border zone 11 kilometres into the territory of the separatist region of Abkhazia for a period from January 20 to March 21, 2014.
"We strongly protest against this decision and demand that the international community respond to it," Margvelashvili said, the press service of the head of state reported.
Margvelashvili stressed that neither Georgia nor the international community will tolerate infringement of the territorial integrity of the country.
"We call on Russia to comply with international norms and ask the international community to respond to this blatant fact," the president said.
Margvelashvili also stressed that Georgia has declared its readiness to assist in ensuring security at the Olympic Games in Sochi.
Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.
Translated by M.L.
Edited by S.M.