Georgian PM rejects calls for non-aggression pact, upholds peaceful reunification as sole path

The Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said that neither direct nor indirect recognition of the so-called independence of the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region would ever occur.

In his remarks over the 17th anniversary of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia in August 2008, Kobakhidze noted that the only way to restore territorial integrity was through peaceful means, and there could be no discussion of any other agreements or documents.

The Prime Minister’s comments came in response to a journalist’s question regarding a call by Alan Gagloev, the so-called “president” of the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region, to sign a non-aggression pact.

“This call is not serious to us. Regarding non-aggression, we state one thing: the only way to restore territorial integrity is a peaceful way, and of course, there can be no talk of any other agreements or documents”, Kobakhidze said.

“We will neither directly nor indirectly recognise the so-called independence. Accordingly, any call implying this is categorically unacceptable”, the PM concluded.