Comment by representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia

Pertaining to “peaceful initiatives” of Georgia

Georgian authorities, having recognized the impossibility of “returning back” South Ossetia and Abkhazia forcefully in short term, has changed its tactics. Now the concept of peaceful reconciliation titled “State Strategy on Occupied Territories: Engagement Through Cooperation” and number of so-called peaceful humanitarian initiatives, which are loudly advertised in the world by the official Tbilisi, are on the agenda.

The Georgian politicians are again naive to expect that the citizens of the Republic of South Ossetia would like to use the new benefits, mentioned in the statement of Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

These initiatives are nothing more than another PR-action, another clumsy attempt to present Georgia as a peace loving state, governed by constructive authorities. Since it is far from being the first time when Tbilisi tries to declare its desire to establish cooperation with South Ossetia, one mustn’t take these statements seriously. And it is of no use to expect that Tbilisi has taken the path of peaceful coexistence with its young neighboring state.

Similar initiatives are illusive and obviously unrealizable. Not only they take away from the essence of the problem, but also prevent Georgia from making truly realistic decisions, which include signing of a legally binding document on non-use of force, or recognizing the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia as well as the Georgian culpability of the genocide of the people of South Ossetia.

Only these political decisions of Georgian officials would promote intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation between South Ossetia and Georgia. Aspiration to cooperation could be realized – everything depends on the political will of the Georgian authorities.

 

April 5, 2018, Tskhinval

 

05.04.2018