Georgian FM: Nauru’s decision on Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions victory for Georgia’s diplomatic efforts

Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday said Nauru’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions marked a significant victory for Georgia’s non-recognition policy and its diplomatic efforts to defend the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Botchorishvili’s comments came after Nauru announced it was terminating diplomatic relations with the entities, reversing its earlier recognition of their claimed independence.

“Nauru’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with the so-called independent Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a very important victory for Georgia’s policy of non-recognition and for the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Foreign Service to defend the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty on the international stage. At the time, Nauru’s decision constituted a gross violation of international law and its principles. We have consistently worked with our international partners to have that decision reversed, and the intensive efforts undertaken in recent years have resulted in today's decision”, she said.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate all the diplomats who spare no effort in defending Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity on the international stage, and I wish our country success in the steps it is taking to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is a difficult process. We are approaching the anniversary of the 2008 war, the outcome of which included Russia’s recognition of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and the international consequences that followed. We will continue working to ensure that decisions adopted unlawfully are reversed and to take the necessary steps toward restoring Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity”, Botchorishvili concluded.