Poland urges Russia to abandon 'aggressive' policy on Georgia

In a statement posted on its website on Monday, the ministry condemned Russian military aggression against Georgia in August 2008.

“Ten years ago, as a result of the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Georgia, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia found themselves under a separatist rule established and supported by Moscow that is not recognised by the international community,” the Polish foreign ministry said in its statement.

It added that it has since 2008 been monitoring the situation in the two regions and has supported the international community’s efforts to restore Georgia’s integrity.

“Our position is clear that, in the light of international law, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia are integral parts of the Georgian state,” the Polish foreign ministry said.

It added: “We oppose all efforts that interfere with the sovereign right of the Tbilisi authorities to exercise dominion over the territory of Georgia within its internationally recognised boundaries.

“We condemn actions aimed at actually integrating the separatists regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region with the Russian Federation in the political, economic, military, infrastructural and social areas.”

Gesture of solidarity

Poland’s foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday headed to Georgia on a visit marking 10 years since Russia’s invasion of that country.

He said before departure: "Today, on the tenth anniversary of these events, we are travelling to Georgia together with the foreign ministers of Lithuania and Latvia ... to jointly commemorate the victims of the war and in a gesture of solidarity with the Georgian state and people.”

The joint trip to Tbilisi follows in the footsteps of the late Polish President Lech Kaczyński, who in August 2008 organised a visit in support of Georgia.

(gs/pk)

Source: msz.gov.pl