Acting US Ambassador: Russia must withdraw its troops from Georgia

Russia must withdraw its troops from Georgia, the talks should be resumed over this issue and Georgia has to restore a full control over its territory,- Acting US Ambassador Ross Wilson said in his interview with Adjara TV.
When a journalist asked a question about his opinion on restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity and the future of the people living in the occupied regions, Ambassador Ross Wilson replied that the "US has a very firm position regarding this issue.”
“The United States recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, does not recognize the independence of the occupied territories and does not recognize the desire of another state to deploy its military forces in that area. Of course, Russia must withdraw its troops from Georgia, the talks should be resumed over this issue and Georgia has to restore a full control over its territory,” Ross Wilson said adding that the solution to this conflict will be the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Georgia and the entire region.

Russia should honor our sovereignty: Georgia PM

Russia needs to honor the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia so that the region can be attractive to investment and business, the country's prime minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili told CNBC on Friday.

Tensions have remained high between the two countries following a short conflict in 2008. Hundreds died in clashes over the sovereignty of South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- two breakaway Georgian regions which Russia recognizes as independent countries, CNBC reports.

Kvirikashvili said that several formats of dialog now existed between the two countries, and that there were positive dynamics in terms of trade.

"We are trying to decrease the tensions with Russia in order to allow ourselves to attract investments, because stability and security (are)... the main prerequisites for any investor," Kvirikashvili told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

There were still issues, however. Russia was still signing agreements with both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Kvirikashvili said, something he described as "against all logic."

"But this is where we are," he said. "We will continue a pragmatic approach, we will continue from our side to decrease the tensions, and we welcome, of course, the recent decision of the Russian government to ease the visa regulations for Georgian citizens," he added.

"This was a positive step, and it is appreciated by (the) Georgian government and people."

Asked if he had a message for Vladimir Putin, Kvirikashvili said that, "Russia should honor Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty."

"This is the main entry condition to be met by the Russian side in order to start normal relations with Russia," he said.

"Honestly, we don't see enough political will today in (the) Russian leadership to resolve this crisis, but despite all that, we have (a) longstanding tradition of… relations with Russia, and I don't think that we need to scratch out everything," Kvirikashvili added.

"Culturally, Georgians, we are Europeans, we are a European country," Kvirikashvili also said during the interview.

On Friday the Georgian government announced that Kvirikashvili had met with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg while at Davos. The two parties discussed issues relating to Georgia becoming a NATO member, according to the prime minister's press office.

A former foreign minister, Kvirikashvili assumed his role as Georgia's prime minister at the end of last year, after the sudden resignation of Irakly Garibashvili, - concludes the CNBC.

Russia remains involved in conflicts of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - European Parliament

According to the resolution on the Association Agreements / Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, adopted by the European Parliament yesterday, Russia remains involved in conflicts and internal divisions touching all three of the association countries.

“Russia remains involved, directly or indirectly, in conflicts and internal divisions touching all three of the association countries –the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali Region in Georgia, the Transnistria issue in Moldova, and Russia’s annexation of Crimea and involvement in the conflict in the eastern parts of Ukraine”, says the Resolution.

The document underlines its firm support for the territorial integrity of all three countries; calls on the Russian Federation to end its occupation of Crimea, and to put an immediate end to all direct or indirect involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as in the frozen conflicts in Georgia and Moldova; welcomes the Council’s decision of 21 December 2015 to extend the economic sanctions against the Russian Federation following the non-fulfilment of the Minsk Agreements;

MEPs also welcome the Council’s decision of 21 December 2015 to extend the economic sanctions against the Russian Federation following the non-fulfilment of the Minsk Agreements.

Vehicles, coming from Russia, have problems in entering Georgia

Vehicles, coming from Russia, are unable to enter Georgia. The reason for it is bad weather, due to which the Kobi-Gudauri road is closed.

As IPN was told by the Ministry of Regional Development, movement of all types of vehicles is prohibited at the Kobi-Gudauri section due to bad weather.

As for the customs checkpoint Kazbegi, according to the Revenue Service, the checkpoint operates as usual.
The issue was covered by the Russian media too. About 100 cars are parked at the Russian border, says the Russian media.

In addition, on 19 January traffic was suspended on the Transcaucasia highway, which is the only connector between Russia and so-called South Ossetia.

Georgia should not become dependent on one source of energy - US Ambassador

Georgia should not become dependent on one source of energy, - US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly told reporters.

According to him, Georgia needs to care for energy diversification.

“We have expressed our concern over the fact that Georgia should not become dependent on one source of energy and keep diversification. We are satisfied with the explanations of the Georgian government. I think Georgia does have a short-term energy need and it should talk to all potential energy suppliers”, said the Ambassador, and added that the government must be transparent about its energy policy.

As for a question of how normal it is for Georgia to have relations with Gazprom when its territories are occupied by Russia, the US diplomat said that the Georgian government can well realize the existent challenges.

Sergey Baghapsh – Abkhazia not Intend to Have Status Associated with Russia

Abkhazia doesn’t intend to have a status associated with Russia, declared Sergey Baghapsh during his talking with the members of international discussion club.
‘The question isn’t raised in this way, Russia has no claim and doesn’t want to get rid of anything’, mentioned Baghapsh.
According to him, Abkhazian people have already made their choice and supported the independence.
As Baghapsh mentioned, Abkhazia continues friendly interrelation with Russia.
‘Now we will build the independent state, and we will have the best interrelations with Russia. It is our best partner, these are the people who helped us, when we faced difficulties’, declared Baghapsh.
In the opinion of Abkhazian separatist leader, it’s important for Abkhazia, that the world society estimates the occurred situation correctly.

EU Suspended Talks on Russia Pact

European Union leaders have agreed to suspend talks on a new partnership agreement with Moscow until Russian troops have withdrawn from Georgia.
EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the decision at the end of an emergency summit in Brussels.
They also condemned Russia's move to recognize the independence of Georgia's regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Bush Call on Russia not to Meet its Commitments and not to Recognize Separatist Regions

U.S. President George W. Bush has urged Russia not to recognize Georgia's two breakaway regions as independent, and has sent his deputy Dick Cheney to Georgia in a show of U.S. support. RIA Novosti reports.
Both houses of Russia's parliament voted unanimously on Monday in favor of a resolution asking President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, following requests from the leaders of both breakaway republics.
Bush said in a statement from his ranch in Texas, ‘I call on Russia's leadership to meet its commitments and not recognize these separatist regions.’
‘Georgia's territorial integrity and borders must command the same respect as every other nation's, including Russia's,’ he said.
Bush said recognition of the regions would be ‘inconsistent with unanimously approved United Nations Security Resolutions that Russia has consistently voted for in the past.

According to Statement of General Stuff of Russia Russian Military Forces go on Patrolling Poti Port

According to the statement of the General Stuff of Russia, Russian military forces will go on patrolling the port of Poti.
‘The truce entails patrolling .Poti is not in the security zone, thus, it does not mean that we would sit outside the fenced territory and watch them driving by Hammers.’- General – Colonel, deputy chief of Russian Armored forces – Anatoly Nogovitsyn stated.

Rally Engaged to Support Georgia to be held in New York today

A rally engaged to support Georgia to be held in New York today, August 23.
As InterpressNews was reported, the rally is to be held in Manhattan. Protestors will express protest against Russia’s aggression once again.
Rally participants are supposed to pass the streets with Georgian flags and white T-shirts. The action is due to start 15:00 pm (US Time).

Mikheil Saakashvili – Russia Destroys and Blasts Civil Infrastructure in Georgia

Russia destroys and blasts civil infrastructure in Georgia, terrorizes population and marauds on the territory, which is controlled by Georgian authorities.
President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili stated about that at the press conference held after the meeting with Foreign Minister of Great Britain David Milibend.
‘They have hostages; there are internally displaced persons in Georgia. International organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have made alarming statements. The genocide, which has been committed, should be condemned. Russians themselves have made such things, they are blaming us for. They say Tskhinvali has been destroyed, while they themselves have burnt and destroyed the city’, Saakashvili stated.
According to the President of Georgia, withdrawal of Russian army must take place immediately, as it has been acting barbarously on the territory of Georgia.
‘It (Russian army) is marauding not only in ethnical Georgian, but multi-national villages as well’, the President stated.

Danis Miliband - Actions of Russia during Last 10 years were Abrogation of International Principles

Danis Miliband, the foreign minister of Great Britain declared that the actions of Russia during the last 10 years were the abrogation of the international principles.
Danis Miliband stated the following in the joint press conference held after his meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili.
The British diplomat underlined the British people backs Georgia. As the foreign minister stated he reported Mikheil Saakashvili over the meeting of NATO Ministerial held today.
The Mikheil Saakashvili thanked the EU and the foreign minister for support.

White House Calls Russia once again to Withdraw its Troops from

The White House calls Russia once
again to withdraw its troops from the territory of Georgia. Gordon Jondro, the White House spokesman stated the following.
The spokesman underscored the fact that Dimitri Medvedev, the President of
the Russian Federation, signed the cease-fire agreement on Saturday.
‘George Bush stated that Russia should keep the agreement and end its
military operations in Georgia and withdraw its troops .We go on monitoring of the Russian aggression. Moscow must meet its commitments.’ – Gordon Jondro declared.

Bush Says Cold War Over

U.S. President George W. Bush has again reiterated Washington’s strong support to Georgia and warned Russia its actions may lead to its isolation.
‘A Cold War is over. The old days of satellite states and spheres of influence are behind us’, he said on August 15.
He reiterated that the support towards ‘people of Georgia and democratically elected government’ adding that Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected’.
He said that Georgia was a democracy, but ‘unfortunately, Russia has tended to view the expansion of freedom and democracy as a threat to its interests.’
‘Only Russia can decide whether it can put itself back on the path of responsible nations or continue to pursue the policy that promises only confrontation and isolation,’ Bush said. ‘To begin to repair relations with the United States, Europe and other nations and to begin restoring its place in world, Russia must respect the freedom of its neighbors.’
‘A contentious relationship with Russia is not in America’s interest and a contentious relationship with America is not in Russia’s interest. With these actions of recent days Russia has damaged its credibility and its relations with the nations of the free world.’
‘Moscow must honor its commitment to withdraw its invaded forces from all Georgian territory,’ George Bush said.

Medvedev Met with Baghapsh and Kokoity

Russia will back any decision regarding the status of Abkhazia and south Ossetia reached by the unrecognized republics.
The President of Russian Federation stated the following at the meeting with the leaders of separatists republics held in Kremlin today, August 14.
The leaders of separatists’ republic signed the 6 principles of the resolution of the Abkhazian- Georgian and Georgian -Ossetian conflicts. The principles are based on the truce worked out by Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy.
Dimitri Medvedev remarked that it is necessary to begin working on the cease-fire agreement where Russia, EU and ESCO will play a role of guarantors.
Baghapsh and Kokoity will hold a press conference in Moscow today.

Matthew Bryza – Russia’s Military Aggression against Georgia was Biggest Political Mistake of Russia

Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs evaluated military aggression of Russia against Georgia as the biggest political mistake of Russia.
Mathew Bryza stated the following at the meeting with the chairman of Georgia –Davit Bakradze.
Russia abrogated the norms of the international law with its actions.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs remarket that Russian troops have nothing to do in the territory of Georgia and added military units must be withdrawn in proper time.

Dmitry Rogozin – NATO Backed Practically Georgia when Russia was in Critical Moment

NATO’s position, regarding Russian –Georgian confrontation, will reflect very negatively on the relation between the alliance and Russia. Dimitri Rogozin, a special representative of Russia to NATO stated the following.
As Rogozin remarked that the alliance’s support to Georgia would change the relation between NATO and Russia.
‘We intended to have friendly relation with NATO. But NATO backed Georgia when Russia was in critical time. The countries, which supported Mikheil Saakashvili in Bucharest Summit, will share responsibilities for actions carried out by Georgia as well.’ – Dmitri Rogozin said in the interview with NTV.

John McCain to Send Delegation to Georgia

US presidential candidate – John McCain will send his delegation, including two senators, to Georgia. The Association Press reports regarding this.
John McCain demands re-monitoring of the existing relation between Russia and Georgia.
The US presidential candidate underlines the issues regarding Russia’s quitting from G8 and blocking its membership in WTO.
‘The nation should not occupy another nation in the 21th century.’- McCain declared.

Medvedev Met Sarkozy in Moscow

The Presidents of France and Russia held a meeting in Moscow. The President of France –Nicolas Sarkozy and the President of Russia – Dmitri Medvedev discussed the latest developments in Georgia.
As Medvedev stated Russia ends military actions since their mission has been fulfilled.
‘The operation that the reinforced Russian peace-keeping contingent carried out has been completed because the goal that we set ourselves has been achieved. The aggressor has been punished. The main task, which was to safeguard the interests of the Russian peacekeepers and of Russian citizens living in South Ossetia, has been accomplished.’ – declared Dmitri Medvedev.
Russia presented two conditions to Georgia: ‘The first is that all Georgian troops return to their original positions and the demilitarization of these military units. The second is the signing of a legally binding document on the non-use of force.’ – stated Dmitri Medvedev.
Nicolas Sarkozy considers that Russia should use its troops for peace.
‘The decision regarding cease-fire is the news which France and Europe has been expected. Europe reflects that Russia is a big country and the world needs peace in Russia.’ – Nicolas Sarkozy said.
The President of France handed the President of Russia a document apropos the ways of resolution of existed problems.
‘The target of Europe and France is peace. We would do everything for our target. We hope Russia would sign the document. ‘– remarked the President of France.

Russian president calls halt to Georgian war

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia's president has ordered an end to military operations against Georgia, the official Russian news agency Interfax reported Tuesday.

"I have reached a decision to halt the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace," President Dmitry Medvedev said, according to Interfax.

The report also quoted Medvedev as saying that the "aggressor in South Ossetia has been punished and has incurred very significant losses."

Shortly before the announcement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow Tuesday that it would only accept a cease-fire if Georgia withdrew from the disputed region of South Ossetia and agreed to renounce the use of force.

As Russian troops marched further into the country, capturing a strategic road and opening a second front in western Georgia after moving in from the breakaway region Abkhazia Tuesday, Lavrov said Moscow did not trust the country's leadership.

He said Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's "barbaric and brutal action" had undermined trust in Georgia.