FM nominee addresses MPs, salutes US support

David Zalkaliani, a nominee for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, addressed the MPs at the joint session of the European Integration, Diaspora and Caucasus Issues and Foreign Affairs Committees. FM nominee presented a report on the accomplished jobs and plans of the Ministry.

Zalkaklian touched upon the strengthening of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as peaceful settlement of the Russia-Georgia conflict. According to David Zalkaliani, the whole Georgian diplomatic system is working round the clock on the issues related to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, de-occupation, IDPs’ return and peaceful settlement of the Russia-Georgia conflict.  The future FM noted that the Russia-Georgia conflict and Georgian occupied territories are discussed at the very high level in all international formats today. The world community regularly speaks loudly about the security and humanitarian challenges and calls on Moscow to withdraw its occupation forces from the Georgian territory.

“As a result of our intensive efforts, several important international documents were adopted during the year. Resolutions, declarations, statements, reports, all affirm the support of the international community for Georgia in the process of peaceful conflict resolution, accentuating the illegal actions by the Russian Federation and its occupation regimes”, Zalkaliani said.

David Zalkaliani stated that Russia, as an occupant, has tripled its efforts against Georgia’s territorial integrity in the international arena. “Russia is trying to assure the world that the situation in Georgia is different from Ukraine; and Georgia must adapt to reality and recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region,” Zalkaliani stated.

The future FM stated the main leverage Georgia has against those illegal actions by Russia is the consolidation of the international community and their support.

Zalkaliani noted that the US National Defense Authorization Act first mentioned the term ‘occupation’. Before 2012, governments of a few countries only used this term. According to him, the word occupation now can be read in the important statements of the executive and legislative branches of the governments, including the main strategic partner of Georgia, the United States.

FM nominee said that Mike Pompeo’s visit once again indicates that there will be more America in Georgia and Georgia will remain one of the mainstays of the US policy in the region. At the same time, this visit reaffirms the strength of the strategic partnership between the United States and Georgia, the US unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as further democratic development and European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

According to Zalkaliani, the Foreign Ministry will continue to mobilize the international community for the protection of the security and human rights of the population living in the occupied territories and the villages adjacent to the occupation line. Special attention will be paid to further consolidation of the non-recognition policy in the international arena, as the most crucial task of diplomatic work.