Georgia’s ruling party official: deoccupation can only be achieved through peaceful, diplomatic means

Deoccupation can only be achieved through peaceful and diplomatic means, Irakli Kirtskhalia, Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s parliamentary faction, said on Wednesday.

Speaking to Imedi TV, Kirtskhalia stressed that people-to-people diplomacy is “a key component” of the broader diplomatic process.

“This is based on a very simple yet important principle: we must win back our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters. Deoccupation can only be achieved through peaceful and diplomatic means. When we talk about diplomacy, a key component is people-to-people diplomacy”, he said.

Kirtskhalia noted that he had reiterated the government’s policy during the opening of the plenary session.

“When the plenary session opened, I emphasised this policy in my remarks and once again reminded the agents and their patrons what our policy is and where the Georgian nation stands regarding our occupied territories. I spoke about how we envision the deoccupation of our country, what deoccupation through peace means, and what restoring relations and winning each other back entails when we speak about our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters”, he said.

He added that Georgia’s approach to restoring its territorial integrity remains firmly rooted in peaceful engagement and diplomacy.