The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia states that the Russian Federation's cynical annexation of the integral parts of the Georgian territory has turned into an undisguised and extremely dangerous military aggression, reported PNA.
"On 9 July 2008 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia issued a statement concerning yet another act of aggression committed against Georgia by the Russian Federation - intrusion of four Russian air force aircraft into Georgian airspace above the territory of the Tskhinvali region. On 10 July the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation made a comment in which the Russian side officially recognized this act of aggression", it is said in the statement released by the Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
According to the ministry, it is particularly noteworthy that the Russian side, which until now kept obstinately disclaiming responsibility for its own actions, carried out this illegal, irresponsible and destructive act in an absolutely open and undisguised manner. However, failing to break its old 'tradition' Russia again levelled accusations against the Georgian side in its previous statement posted on 9 July 2008.
"The incident that took place indicates clearly that the Russian Federation has definitely made a decision to disregard the principles of respect for Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and non-interference in its internal affairs upheld by the universally recognized norms of international law", the statement reads.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia emphasizes that the act of open aggression committed by the Russian Federation poses a direct threat to peace and security not only in Georgia and the South Caucasus but also in the Caucasus region as a whole.
"Moreover, such actions of the Russian Federation derail the processes aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia. Against this background, the international community can already have no doubts about the ineffectiveness of the established peace formats and the necessity of their immediate revision", the statement says.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia states that the Georgian side will employ all political, diplomatic and legal instruments at its disposal to lead the international community to give an adequate assessment to the Russian side's military aggression directed against Georgia. It is also obvious that the international community's firm and unequivocal position will be of paramount importance in terms of avoiding recurrence of such dangerous and deliberate provocations in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia states that Georgia, despite Russia's aggressive steps, will do all in its power to achieve progress in the peaceful settlement process and restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity.
In connection with an endless series of provocations and acts of military aggression carried out recently by the Russian Federation against Georgia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Russian Federation Erosi Kitsmarishvili was summoned to Georgia for consultations.