Brussels, 09/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 5 May, the EU delegation to the international institutions in Vienna underlined the EU's concern at the announcement of a “so-called 'referendum'” in the Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia.
This referendum “is aimed at rewriting Article 10 of the so-called 'constitution' of the breakaway region of South Ossetia and opening the prospects of joining the Russian Federation”, the delegation stated. “We recall that the EU does not recognise the constitutional and illegal framework in which such a referendum would take place”, it added in a press release. According to the “president” of South Ossetia, the referendum is reportedly due to take place before August 2016.
In addition, the delegation says the recent conclusion of a so-called “Agreement on the State Border” between Russia and South Ossetia is of concern. “This action, together with previous so-called agreements signed between the Russian Federation and the two Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the 'treaties on Alliance and Strategic Partnership/Integration', (…) further violates the fundamental norms of international law, including (…) Russia's international commitments under the August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement”, the delegation stated.
“Such illegal processes and steps go against ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region”, the EU delegation said. It also reiterated the EU's firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders, and called on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire agreement of August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures of September 2008, “including providing EUMM [the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia] access to the breakaway regions”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)