Georgia, with its unique geopolitical location is historically a part of European civilization and an integral part of Europe. Since the restoration of independence, my country implemented significant reforms to reach one of its key foreign policy goals – EU membership enshrined in our Constitution. Throughout last three decades, my country faced unprecedented security challenges and wars. Seventeen years have passed since the Russian Federation launched a full-scale military aggression against Georgia in August 2008. What began as an unprovoked assault on Georgia’s sovereignty has evolved into a sustained and multifaceted campaign to challenge the international legal order and redraw borders by force. Russia’s war of aggression set a dangerous precedent that reverberates to this day across the wider Black Sea region, posing a significant threat to the European security architecture. Russia’s aggression against Georgia in 2008 was not an isolated event, but a continuation of stark expression of its neo-imperialist vision aimed at subjugating sovereign nations and establishing unlawful spheres of influence. Despite the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, Russia continues to occupy Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, violating its international obligations and actively working to entrench and legitimize the occupation through hybrid warfare, military build-up and demographic engineering.
The illegal occupation of Georgia’s sovereign territory persists, as does Russia’s flagrant disregard for the 2008 Ceasefire Agreement. Georgia remains fully compliant, while Russia continues its refusal to withdraw forces, establishment of international security mechanisms, reverse its recognition of the so-called “independence” of the occupied regions and allow the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. The decisions of international courts have made clear that Russia bears full legal responsibility for the occupation and associated human rights violations. Between 2021 and 2024, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on multiple cases, confirming Russia’s effective control over the occupied territories and holding it accountable for the widespread abuses including ethnic cleansing, torture and denial of the right of return for displaced persons.
We highly value a firm support of the Kingdom of Spain and the international community towards Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which we witness both bilaterally and within international organizations
Until now, the security situation remains dire and fragile. Russia continues its illegal military presence, operating two large bases in the occupied regions and recently intensifying its maritime militarization through the development of a naval base in Ochamchire. This poses serious risks to Georgia’s sovereignty and regional stability, particularly in the context of growing instability in the wider Black Sea region. The humanitarian and human rights consequences of the occupation are devastating and ongoing while Russia continues to block access for international security and human rights mechanisms to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, preventing proper assessment and response to the grave situation. The EUMM, the only international monitoring mission on the ground, has long been denied access to these territories by Russia. The EUMM’s presence in Georgia vividly demonstrates EU’s significant role, as the mediator and guarantor of Ceasefire Agreement and contribution to the peaceful resolution of Russia-Georgia conflict. Although the EUMM is deprived of the possibility to fully implement its mandate, the Mission’s activities are decisive in deterring the escalation on the ground in light of ongoing alarming processes in the region. Therefore, we are grateful for EU and all member states, including Spain for firm support and continuous contribution to the EUMM.
Russia has redoubled efforts to integrate Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions into its political, military and legal frameworks. Through so-called “integration treaties,” transfer of strategic assets like Bitchvinta resort and Sokhumi airport, illegal Russian elections to name a few. Meanwhile the international organizations operating in Abkhazia region have been subject of increasing pressure with the aim of hampering the confidence-building efforts of Georgia and international society, legitimizing of the occupation regime and further isolating occupied Abkhazia region from the rest of Georgia, similar to what has already occurred in Tskhinvali region.
Georgia remains steadfast in its peaceful approach and as a bridge between two continents Europe and Asia can play a significant role in supporting the development of a stable and peaceful region. The Government of Georgia continues to pursue a dual-track policy of de-occupation and reconciliation. This includes sustained support to the conflict-affected population, promotion of people-to-people contacts and unwavering commitment to the Geneva International Discussions (GID), despite Russia’s continued obstruction and walkouts. The effective and results-oriented functioning of the GID is especially important, as it is the only format between Georgia and Russia to address the implementation of the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and return of IDPs and refugees with involvement of key international actors. The reconciliation and engagement policy is an integral part of the overall peaceful conflict resolution policy of the Georgia. 17 years later, the two regions of Georgia, representing 20% of the country’s territory, remain occupied and the consequences to hold Russia accountable are plain to see — in Georgia, Ukraine and beyond. Russia continues to test the boundaries of international patience and legality, escalating threats through both military and hybrid means.
We highly value a firm support of the Kingdom of Spain and the international community towards Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which we witness both bilaterally and within international organizations and we call on the international community to keep the issue of occupation of Georgia’s territories by Russia at the forefront of their agenda and demand full implementation of the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, including the withdrawal of Russian forces from all occupied territories. Moreover, Spain is our friend and reliable partner, and we are grateful for its supportive stance towards Georgia’s EU membership path, especially during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023, when the historic decision to grant Georgia candidate status has been taken. My country remains committed to peace, justice and the restoration of its territorial integrity and urges its international partners to stand together in defending the fundamental principles of the rules-based international order. The future of peace in Europe depends on action today.
Alexander Chkuaseli, Ambassador of Georgia to Spain
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