Georgia’s Foreign Ministry once again condemns illegal annexation of Crimea

Georgia Online portal reported this with reference to the statement by the Georgian Foreign Ministry.

"The Foreign Ministry of Georgia has once again strongly condemned the temporary occupation and illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol," the statement of the Georgian Foreign Ministry reads.

According to the statement, Georgia has experienced Russia’s aggression and attempts to forcefully change the borders.

"Four years ago, a referendum was held in Crimea under the pressure of the Russian armed forces, which was accompanied by the illegal occupation by the Russian Federation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. The Ukrainian constitution and legislation, as well as the fundamental norms and principles of international law, were completely ignored. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia once again strongly condemns the temporary occupation and illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, Russia’s aggression against the Ukrainian state and attempts to change the borders of the country that Georgia already experienced. This practice of occupation and annexation undermines the established international order and constitutes a serious threat to international security and stability. Today, more than ever before, a strong and consolidated position of the international community is important to resist the ongoing aggression against sovereign states, and it is important to ensure peace and security on the basis of international security mechanisms," the statement reads.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry once again confirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

As a reminder, on March 16, 2014, the so-called "referendum" was held in the occupied Crimea, and two days later – on March 18 – the "annexation" of Crimea with the Russian Federation was proclaimed.

Neither the "referendum" nor the "annexation" of Crimea to Russia was recognized in the world (except for several countries dependent on Russia, for example, Nauru).

The official date of the beginning of the temporary occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol – February 20, 2014 – was defined by the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Determining the Date of Beginning of Temporary Occupation" dated September 15, 2015. This law contributes to the protection of the rights of the state, citizens and legal entities as well as strengthens Ukraine's position in litigation against the Russian Federation.

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