The German Government stands resolutely shoulder to shoulder with Georgia as regards its sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognised borders. We do not recognise the constitutional or legal framework for the so‑called ‘presidential elections’ held in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia on 10 April. We regard these ‘elections’ and their outcome as illegal. This also applies to all other decisions of the de‑facto authorities in South Ossetia that violate Georgia’s territorial integrity.