“Russia does not respect its commitments in Georgia” says Porchkhidze
(BRUSSELS2) This is the unqualified observation of Irakli Porchkhidze, Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Georgia, who was present before the European Parliament's Defense sub-committee on Thursday. " Russia is blocking the full execution of the mandate of EUMM (the EU observation mission), while the EUMM's mandate is normally exercised throughout the territory of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. The consequences are disastrous on the ground: we are witnessing a depopulation, a militarization of the 2 enclaves, and a threat to Georgian sovereignty. ».
"Ethnic cleansing"
« Russia occupies territory it did not control before 2008. And on is witnessing in the occupied territories a veritable ethnic cleansing he says. " Around 400.000 Georgians cannot return home. But it's not just Georgians: there are also some minorities like Estonians or Greeks. The Russians razed villages in Ossetia in order to undermine the demographic balance. We find the same situation in Abkhazia. There are only 10.000 people left (while before 40.000 inhabitants). There is an ongoing depopulation process. »
"A military fortress"
That's not all ! " In flagrant violation of the ceasefire, 10.000 Russian soldiers are stationed in occupied territory. The Russians have made it a military fortress. We are 40 km from Tbilisi. It is a strategic place. Because the East West Highway which connects the two parts of Georgia, is a vital link for its balance, its security and trade. The military presence exerts real psychological pressure. The Georgian state is in a state of siege. he explains. " There are human and environmental costs. The Russians extract stones, sand, metals in Abkhazia, to export materials to Russia, in particular for the work of the Olympic Games in Sochi. This threatens the geological and environmental balance. »
"EUMM must stay and go to Ossetia and Abkhazia"
And the Georgian official to call for the maintenance of the EUMM European mission. " It is necessary. It is the only international force present in the region. (...) Russia has always thought that the presence of international observers in Georgia was not necessary. It used the consensus mechanism of the OSCE to block the presence of the OSCE, as well as the UN. The EUMM is the only international presence over which Russia does not have a veto. This presence on the ground is the necessary prerequisite for future stability. It is essential to extend the EUMM mission and to have access to the occupied territories »
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
