Georgian First Deputy FM reaffirms Gov’t’s commitment to restoring territorial integrity and returning IDPs

Lasha Darsalia, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, on Wednesday stressed that despite continued resistance from the Russian Federation and its occupation regimes, Georgia will persist with its diplomatic efforts until the country’s territorial integrity is fully restored and internally displaced persons are able to return to their homes.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Darsalia addressed Nauru’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, noting that Moscow and its local proxies are heavily investing resources to obstruct the ongoing de-recognition process.

“Our opponent, the Russian Federation, and its occupation regimes are investing quite large resources so that the withdrawal of non-recognition does not take place”, he said.

“It can be said unequivocally that we will further strengthen our efforts, and not only the withdrawal of occupation - we will continue working until the return of the displaced persons takes place and until the full restoration of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders takes place - this is our final task, and in this we only hope for progress”, Darsalia concluded.

Nauru has officially withdrawn its recognition of Georgia’s Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states, with the formal decision on the cancellation of diplomatic relations dated July 21.