Estonia raises Russian aggression in Georgia at UN Security Council
Yesterday, August 5, Estonia jointly raised the issue of Russian aggression in Georgia at a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting involving the United States, Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Estonia is a non-permanent UNSC member.
"This week marks 12 years since the beginning of Russia's aggression in Georgia. We considered it important to lead the international community on the UNSC in noting that [this] aggression in Georgia has not disappeared," foreign minister Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) said, according to a ministry press release.
Reinsalu highlighted the fact that Russia continues its attempts to shift borders and undermine the sovereignty of its neighbor. The regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are integral parts of Georgia, remain occupied, he said.
In its statement, Estonia called on Russia to immediately begin implementing the UN Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire and respect for international law. "Lately we have witnessed the increase of provocative actions against Georgia. This translates into a more fragile security situation in the whole region," Estonia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Gert Auväärt said.
After the meeting, Estonia, the U.S., Belgium, Germany, France and the U.K., as well as the non-permanent members for the 2021-2022 period, Ireland and Norway, held a joint stakeout, expressing concern over the intensification of the so-called borderization process over the past year, including during the pandemic.
Arbitrary detentions both in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as along the administrative boundary lines have continued throughout the pandemic, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in South Ossetia has been denied during the pandemic.
"We call again on the Russian Federation to fully implement her obligation and commitments under the Agreements of August 12 and September 8 2008," the joint statement stressed, reiterating support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
Estonia's full statement is here.
The joint press stakeout is here.
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Editor: Roberta Vaino