The latest theses about the so-called occupation, voiced by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at the summit during the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, come as no surprise. Regrettably, Tbilisi's rhetoric remains unchanged. Instead of acknowledging historical realities and assuming responsibility for the tragic events of the past, the Georgian leadership continues to exploit the myth of the "occupation of 20% of Georgia's territory".
We would like to remind Mr Kobakhidze that South Ossetia was never part of "Georgian territory" in the sense that Tbilisi is seeking to impose. The independence of the Republic of South Ossetia is the outcome of the South Ossetian people's long struggle for the right to life, security and self-determination — a right that was grossly trampled upon by the Georgian leadership, including in the 1990s and in 2008.
Rather than squandering time on hollow accusations on international platforms, the Georgian authorities would do better to concentrate on tangible steps: the signing of a legally binding document on the non-use of force and the launch of a process of delimitation of the state border. That would be the only path to ensuring long-term stability in the region.
For the time being, however, Tbilisi's rhetoric remains hostage to political circumstance, and statements of this kind merely confirm that the Georgian leadership is still not prepared for honest and equal dialogue with Tskhinval.
September 23, 2026