Tbilisi, Georgia, Feb. 27
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
Georgia is a leading country of the Eastern Partnership, the European Council President Donald Tusk said at a joint briefing with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in Brussels, Garibashvili's office said.
"This is not a compliment, but a fact," he said.
Tusk has focused on the country's progress in visa liberalization.
"As for the visa liberalization, we expect the result, positive recommendations," Tusk said. "I hope that our next meeting in Riga will be successful in this direction."
Tusk called the so-called agreement between Russia and the de facto regime of Abkhazia as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, as well as international law.
He said that the EU supports the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders and firmly adheres to a policy of non-recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and so-called South Ossetia.
Large-scale military action was launched between Georgia and Russia in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008.
Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August.
In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.
Edited by CN