Ban Ki-moon – UN Unconditionally Supports Georgia’s Territorial Integrity, which Must Be Respected by All States

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia releases information concerning the meeting held between Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations Irakli Alasania and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on August 16.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the focus of discussions was Russia’s military intervention in Georgia.
The UN Secretary General reaffirmed his unconditional support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, which must be respected by all states. He also stated that the Russian troops must immediately withdraw from the territory of Georgia and avoid creating obstacles to providing humanitarian aid.
In addition, the UN Secretary General confirmed the readiness of the United Nations to take part in international discussions on the issues of security and stability in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He referred to a meeting of the UN agencies and donors scheduled for 17 August, which will discuss concrete details of assistance.
During his talks with the Secretary General, Mr. Alasania noted that despite the Russian President’s signing of a ceasefire agreement, the situation on the ground remains extremely tense. Occupation troops exploded a railway bridge in Kaspi and still remain in control of a number of Georgian cities.
Mr. Alasania also underlined the importance of the international community not allowing the Russian Federation to legalize the results of the occupation and the necessity of including the issue of Georgia’s territorial integrity in the Council’s resolution.
Moreover, the same day Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations Irakli Alasania met with Permanent Representative of the Republic of France to the United Nations Jean-Maurice Ripert. The sides discussed the recent development of events in Georgia with a focus on resolution of the conflicts on the territory of Georgia.