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Federal Foreign Office on the 10th anniversary of the war between the Russian Federation and Georgia
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (7 August) on the 10th anniversary of the war between the Russian Federation and Georgia:
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia.
The Federal Republic of Germany supports Georgia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The unilateral recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation and four other states is unacceptable.
Germany backs the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict within the framework of the Geneva International Discussions, which remain the cornerstone of the international mediation efforts. We urge Russia to meet its obligations under the agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008 in full.
Germany will continue to support the European monitoring mission (EUMM) and to call for international human rights organisations to be granted access to the breakaway regions. We welcome the Georgian Government’s package of measures “A Step to a Better Future”, which is intended to improve the quality of life of those living beyond the administrative boundary lines through facilitations in the spheres of trade, education and mobility.
Background information:
The conflict over South Ossetia, a region which broke away from Georgia, escalated on 7 August 2008. Some 850 people were killed during the hostilities between the Russian Federation and Georgia, which lasted for five days, while more than 130,000 people temporarily fled their homes.
The ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 was brokered by France, which held the EU Presidency at that time. On 17 August 2008, the German Chancellor travelled to Tbilisi and welcomed the signing of the agreement. The six point plan ended the military hostilities but not the conflict over the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which had broken away from Georgia. On 25 August 2008, the Russian Federation recognised their independence and diplomatic relations between Tbilisi and Moscow were subsequently ended.
The international community has been endeavouring ever since to resolve the conflict on the basis of the six point plan and within the framework of the Geneva International Discussions. Although an EU monitoring mission (EUMM) assesses compliance with the agreement, it has no access to Abkhazia or South Ossetia.