State Minister’s Office: The so-called ‘second round of presidential elections’ in occupied Abkhazia constitutes another gross violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity – It lacks any legal basis

The State Minister’s Office has responded to the illegally conducted second round of the so-called ‘presidential elections’ in the occupied region of Abkhazia, stating that it contradicts the fundamental principles of international law and represents yet another gross violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

According to the statement from the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, under the ongoing occupation, when internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from Abkhazia are still denied the right to safely and dignifiedly return to their homes, and when the fundamental rights and freedoms of the local population continue to be systematically and grossly violated, the so-called "elections" do not reflect the will of the people and, therefore, lack any legal basis.

"The Government of Georgia is unwaveringly and consistently implementing a firmly declared peace policy, which, alongside de-occupation, includes reconciliation and engagement processes concerning the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). This policy aims to further intensify these efforts, improve the socio-economic conditions of conflict-affected populations, and foster cooperation based on common interests, thereby deepening trust between artificially divided communities," the statement reads.