Regrettably, the media is still continuing to speculate about the possible military cargo flights through the airspace of Georgia.  

It is well-known that Georgia has closed its airspace for military flights, on which we have repeatedly stated publicly.  As far as civil and humanitarian flights are concerned, Georgia remains fully in line with its international obligations in this regard. In view of this, we would like to clarify that no special permit is required for such flights and civil flights are carried out based on respective notifications and information. Hence, according to the documents and information available to Georgia, all flights operated in Georgian airspace fully conform to international norms and ICAO standards. 

To ensure secure air services and prevent the use of civil flights for other purposes, we call on all countries, both shippers and receivers of cargoes, to exercise strict control over the air carriages involving  civil and humanitarian cargoes. It is the primary responsibility of the shipping countries to ensure that civil flights are operated in compliance with the standards and principles of the Chicago Convention, which bans the deliberate use of civil aviation for military purposes. 

Georgia will strictly react to any violation detected or sufficient evidence thereof, and violators will be held  liable under international law.

Source: https://mfa.gov.ge/News/sagareo-saqmeta-saministros-ganckhadeba-(36).aspx?lang=en-US

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia expresses its concern over the disruption of the 51st Round of the Geneva International Discussions by representatives of the Russian Federation. It is noteworthy that considering the aggravated security and humanitarian situation in Georgia’s occupied territories, according to the decision by the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions, the 51st Round was planned and agreed to be held on 6-7 October this year in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Such kind of steps are undermining the entire peace process, and impede the Georgian Government’s and international community’s efforts to solve the problems of the conflict effected population.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls upon the Russian Federation to return to the negotiations, and fulfil its international obligations, including the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeals to the international organisations co-chairing the Geneva International Discussions – the EU, UN and OSCE to take affective measures in order to ensure the resumption of the negotiations within the Geneva format and facilitate achieving tangible progress in the process of peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict.

As a result of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, the civilian population was killed, and the civilian infrastructure was damaged. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Georgia spreads information about the conflict.

"The armed forces of Armenia have been continuing to target the civilian population, private houses and other civilian infrastructure in residential areas along the line of contact in a gross violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Civilian facilities, such as hospitals, medical centers, school buildings, and kindergartens, have been subjected to indiscriminate shelling of Armenia's armed forces, including from artillery and other large-caliber weaponry. Electricity and energy infrastructure got damaged in residential areas. Armed units of Armenia targeted gas lines in the Borsunlu and Hulabandi villages and several neighborhoods in the Tartar district's administrative center.

On September 29, a mortar attack hit a medical facility in Garadaghli village of Aghdam. As a result, one civilian died. As of September 29, 12 civilians, including two children and two elderly, were killed, with 35 civilians hospitalized. Sixty-six private houses and eight private properties were damaged. Below is photo evidence of the humanitarian law violations of the armed forces of Armenia. Private properties of the residents of Azadgaragoyunlu village of the Tartar district were seriously damaged," reads the statement. 

Another military confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia has created a grave situation. There are heavy casualties and, unfortunately, the cessation of hostilities and the resumption of dialogue has not been possible thus far.

We all understand that further escalation of the situation will have an extremely negative impact on the security of the entire region. We once again call on the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and international actors to make the most of the available opportunities to end the escalation and resume dialogue. As you know, our country has good neighborly relations with both countries, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Historically, our Azerbaijani and Armenian citizens living in Georgia have always played a great role in the development and strengthening of our country, as well as the entire region. At the same time, their peaceful coexistence is a good example demonstrating that Georgians, Armenians, and Azerbaijanis have the potential to turn the entire South Caucasus into an area of peace and development.

It is our common interest for peace to be established in the region as quickly as possible. Georgia is ready to facilitate this process in any way, including by hosting a meeting of representatives of the sides of the conflict in Tbilisi for the purpose of holding a dialogue.

Press Service of the Government Administration

We are following with concern another military escalation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which, according to reports, has already caused casualties and damage of infrastructure. We are confident that the parties will be able to reach a ceasefire, sit at the negotiating table and avoid largescale military activities that will have a marked negative impact on the security of the entire region.

Georgia calls on the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and international actors to direct all their efforts towards ending the escalation and ensuring the resumption of a constructive dialogue.

For our part, we reiterate that Georgia remains committed to contribute, in any form, to de-escalation of tensions and restoration of peace in the region.

Source: https://mfa.gov.ge/News/saqartvelos-sagareo-saqmeta-saministros-ganck-(64).aspx?lang=en-US

On July 12, the armed forces of Armenia attempted to attack, using artillery, in order to seize positions in the direction of Tovuz district along the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The attack of the enemy forces was prevented by retaliatory measures. As a result of the combat, three servicemen of the Azerbaijani army were killed and four were injured.

This provocative act of the Armenian armed forces should be seen as a continuation of the recent actions and statements of the leadership of aggressor state Armenia, which serve to increase tensions in the region.

Armenia, which has reflected its aggressive policy in the country's national security strategy, openly demonstrates that it aims to seize new positions and increase tensions in the region instead of eliminating the consequences of the conflict and withdrawing its occupying forces from the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan.

This provocation by Armenia casts serious doubt on the essence of the negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Armenia is trying to involve third countries in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict with such provocative actions. Nevertheless, the position of the international community on Armenia's aggressive policy is quite well known.

All provocations of the enemy forces will be adequately prevented from this time onward as well.

Armenia bears full responsibility for such provocative actions that serve to aggravate the situation.

God bless the souls of our Martyrs.

***

Заявление Министерства иностранных дел Азербайджанской Республики

12 июля этого года вооруженные силы Армении в целях захвата позиций на армяно-азербайджанской государственной границе в Товузском направлении предприняли попытку атаки c использованием артиллерийского огня. Атака вражеских сил была предотвращена ответным огнем. В ходе боев погибли трое военнослужащих азербайджанской армии, четверо ранены.

Данную провокацию вооруженных сил Армении следует рассматривать в качестве продолжения заявлений и действий, осуществляемых за последнее время руководством страны-агрессора Армении, направленных на эскалацию напряжённости в регионе.

Республика Армения, отразив элементы своей агрессорской политики в национальной стратегии безопасности страны, вместо устранения последствий конфликта и вывода оккупационных сил с международно-признанных территорий Азербайджана, отчётливо демонстрирует стремление к захвату новых территорий и росту напряжённости.

Провокация вооруженных сил Армении ставит под серьезное сомнение значимость проводимых при посредничестве сопредседателей Минской группы ОБСЕ переговоров по урегулированию армяно-азербайджанского нагорно-карабахского конфликта. Данными действиями Армения стремится вовлечь в конфликт третьи страны. Однако позиция мирового сообщества относительно агрессорской политики Армении общеизвестна.

Все провокации вражеских сил будут и впредь достойно пресекаться. Вся ответственность за подобные провокационные действия, служащие эскалации напряжённости, лежит на Армении.    

Пусть покоятся с миром души наших шехидов.

In relation to the information disseminated via mass media, we would like to inform you, that the Counterterrorism Center of the State Security Service detained a citizen of the Russian Federation on charges of purchase and storage of forged documents envisaged by article 362, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

The accused individual – V.B. has been detained in the framework of an investigation of a criminal case launched into the fact of preparation of murder by contract, which has been carried out by the State Security Service on the basis of respective operational information.

Throughout the process of investigation of the mentioned criminal case, in order to obtain evidence and attach it to the case in line with criminal procedure, on the basis of judge’s orders, numerous overt and covert investigative activities have been carried out; furthermore, operational control over V.B and his contacts have been continuously underway, due to which, a crime committed by V.B., in particular, the fact of purchase and usage of the forged documents by V.B. has been outlined. On the basis of authentic and consolidated evidence obtained by the investigation, the investigative authority took a decision to detain V.B., as a result of which the exposed individual on the one hand has been brought to justice and at the same time a graver crime has been prevented.

It is worth mentioning that intensive investigative activities are ongoing into the case on the very stage, numerous forensic examinations are scheduled, additional information is requested within the framework of international cooperation, through Interpol channels, witnesses are being interviewed.

On the basis of the above-mentioned, State Security Service of Georgia calls on every person, including a party of the criminal case, refrain from disseminating of any clarified or unclarified information so that the investigation is not obstructed, dissemination of significant and/or fake information is prevented, that eventually will damage a major public interest – to establish an objective truth in relation to the case.

Press release of the State Security Service

David Zalkaliani, President of the Committee of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia, made the following statement to mark 75 years since the end of the Second World War:

“Today we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe - the most devastating war in history, which claimed millions of lives and brought immense suffering.

“This day of commemoration and remembrance offers an opportunity for us to express our profound respect and admiration to all who gave their lives for humanity.

“We have to make sure that such atrocities do not take place again. The best way to achieve this is to adhere to international law and recommit ourselves to the universal principles we all embraced in the aftermath of the war.

“By commemorating this important anniversary, it is of utmost importance to reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful, secure and stable Europe, as it still faces conflicts and other serious challenges that require immediate cooperation and joint efforts.”

Source: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/end-of-wwii-statement-by-david-zalkaliani

Today, the 5th of May, marks the anniversary of the signing of the Statute of the Council of Europe in London by ten countries.
 
This historic development represents the first attempt towards a united European action to promote peaceful coexistence, prevent conflicts and promote and protect the fundamental rights of all individuals in Europe, without exception.
 
The Council of Europe, with its 47 member States, has been instrumental in agreeing common standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law for over 7 decades. Let me underline the fundamental role of the European Convention on Human Rights, drafted seventy years ago in 1950, by the then newly founded Council of Europe, that enabled the setting-up of a unique human rights protection system, constituting the anchor of European co-operation. I hope that this new decade will bring us the same determination to defend human rights as that of the authors of the Convention 70 years ago. It should be recalled that more than 830 million people living in our common European space have an ultimate right of appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
 
This important anniversary coincides with an unprecedented global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our heartfelt sympathies go to those who have lost their loved ones, family members and friends. At this critical crossroads, we all have to be united and determined to do our utmost to overcome the current crisis.
 
After more than 7 decades of service to peace, democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, the Council of Europe has contributed to number of significant achievements but there is still much more to accomplish. It is more urgent than ever to intensify our efforts to solidify respect for human rights in the years to come.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia strongly condemns the illegal process of erection of so-called “border” signs at the occupation line of Tskhinvali region, namely in the vicinity of the village Takhtisdziri of Kareli Municipality. The installation of artificial barriers by the occupation forces already entailed the loss of access to the agricultural lands for the local inhabitants.

With this kind of provocative actions in the circumstances of the Coronavirus pandemic, and moreover, during the religious holidays before the Orthodox Easter, the Russian Federation deliberately attempts to escalate the situation and further aggravate the security environment on the ground. With these steps Russia and its occupation regime are creating unbearable circumstances for the conflict-affected local population, who have been already suffering from the grave humanitarian consequences of the Russian occupation. Several people living in Tskhinvali region have already fallen victims to the closure of so-called crossing points and restriction of the freedom of movement by the occupation regime, as they were not given the possibility to cross the occupation line and get the necessary medical treatment on the Georgian Government controlled territory.

This kind of destructive steps are especially concerning in the times when the whole world is trying to fight the spread of the infection caused by the Coronavirus. In these critical circumstances, we attach particular importance to show the care and commitment to the conflict-affected population, who have long been suffering from the intensified pressure and discrimination.

The Government of Georgia spears no effort with the aim to improve the security and human rights situation on the ground. We remain in close coordination with the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions and the EU Monitoring Mission in order to ensure cessation of the illegal process of erecting the artificial barriers along the occupation line, and achieve freedom of movement for the people living in the occupation territories.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately cease the provocative and destructive actions and implement its international obligations, inter alia the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia appeals to the international community to give a due assessment and take effective measures to counter the illegal process along the occupation line.