T.Sharashenidze: Russia continues its occupation of Georgian territories

Tbilisi successfully continues diplomatic efforts on non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the whole civilized world condemns the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia. This was the leitmotif of a press conference in Baku, held by the  Ambassador of Georgia, Teimuraz Sharashenidze, on the fourth anniversary of the war in August 2008.

Russia's armed forces are still in the country, and occupy twenty percent of the territory of Georgia. Russia has created two military bases in these areas, and deployed there  more than ten thousand troops, he said.

According to the Ambassador, the reason for the war against Georgia became an independent foreign policy of Tbilisi, the desire to fully integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic space.

Despite the serious challenges which  Georgia has faced, it did not change the external course. At the last NATO summit in Chicago, support for Georgia's admission to the  Alliance was expressed, and the two-year program was approved.

However, Georgia stands for a normalization of relations with Russia. In unilaterally abolished visa regime for Russian citizens, consented to the entry of Russia into the WTO. However, Russia does not demonstrate constructivism, and do not take relevant steps.

The Georgian Ambassador also noted the support of Azerbaijan in August 2008, which resulted in the provision of food and energy assistance in connection with the blockade of communications.

Azerbaijan has recently supported at the General Assembly  a  resolution on protection  Georgia's internally displaced persons. Georgia, on  its part, one of the first stated  about not recognizing the so-called presidential elections in Nagorno Karabakh.—06D--