Russia wants this dividing line to become defined border and tries to divide Georgia illegally, –  President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Madeleine Moon made this statement when addressing the  NATO Parliamentary Assembly Plenary Session in London.

As President of NATO PA stated, Russia periodically moves the border forward and pays no attention to the locals whose families and property are divided.

“We have a proud record of speaking of Georgia and Ukraine and condemning the illegal occupation of their territories. But it is not just words, we have unambiguously shown our support and solidarity. We did this in 2017 by holding a spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Tbilisi, and we will do so next year by holding a spring session in Kyiv.

This year I have visited both Tbilisi and Kyiv to demonstrate our commitment for their Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and to learn firsthand how Georgia and Ukraine cope with the direct Russian aggression. Just two weeks ago, I visited the administrative boundary line now set around South Ossetia. I know many of you did the same thing during our session in 2017. So I’m sure you understand why I feel a moral obligation to take this opportunity and talk about what I saw there and what I felt. Russia wants this dividing line to become defined border and tries to divide Georgia illegally. Consequently, Russia periodically moves the border forward. It pays no attention to the locals whose families and property are divided. I spoke with a local farmer, who is trapped along with his sick wife, behind the barbed wire and he could not see family members, work in his own land located on the other side of the barbed wire. It was hard emotional and I promised that I would speak about this disregard, not just the international law, but the human beings and their rights”, – Madeleine Moon said.