Georgia on Wednesday condemned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to its breakaway region of Abkhazia and his meeting with “occupation regime” officials. Calling the visit a violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity, the foreign ministry said Lukashenko’s visit legitimised Russia’s annexation and occupation of Georgia.
The ministry asserted that Lukashenko’s trip violates Georgia’s border and “blatantly infringes the fundamental principles and norms of international law.” It thus urged Belarus “to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity” and not to take counterproductive actions.
❗️🇬🇪's Foreign Ministry condemns the "visit" of Aleksandr Lukashenko to Georgia's #Abkhazia region, occupied by the Russian Federation.
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) September 28, 2022
Full Statement ➡️ https://t.co/REczMJCz8N
Keeping this in mind, the ministry summoned the Belarusian ambassador to Tbilisi, Anatol Lis, to protest Lukashenko’s visit to “occupied Abkhazia” and his meeting with “representatives of the occupation regime.” “Expressing its protest in the strongest terms, the Georgian side demanded additional explanations from Belarus,” it stated.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also criticised Lukashenko’s unannounced visit. “I strongly condemn Aleksander Lukashenko’s visit to Abkhazia region of Georgia occupied by Russia,” he tweeted, adding that the Belarusian leader’s actions threaten bilateral ties. President Salome Zourabichvili denounced Lukashenko as well, calling his visit an “unacceptable violation” of Georgian sovereignty.
I strongly condemn Aleksandr Lukashenko’s “visit” to Abkhazia region of 🇬🇪 occupied by 🇷🇺 and meetings with the Russian occupation regime. This step violates 🇬🇪’s law on occupied territories & contradicts with int’l law as well as bilateral relations between our countries.
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) September 28, 2022
The United States (US), too, expressed concern over Lukashenko’s visit. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the visit only legitimises Russia’s occupation. “Russia must withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and reverse its recognition of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions,” Price said, adding, “We remain steadfast in our support for Georgia and for its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
While Lukashenko did not address the concerns of Georgian and US authorities, his office released a statement detailing his visit. Lukashenko met with Abkhazia’s president, Aslan Bzhania, and asserted that Abkhazia is an independent region that “cannot be erased from the map.”
The arrival of Aleksandr Lukashenko in occupied Abkhazia is extremely concerning! In addition to the fact that this is a politically incorrect and unfriendly step, Lukashenko violated the law on occupation, and the appropriate response from the Georgian side will surely follow!
— Kakha Kaladze (@kakhakala) September 28, 2022
Lukashenko also indicated his interest in developing independent trade and economic ties with the region. “If we can help you in some way, we will be happy to do it. This cooperation will be mutually beneficial,” he told Bzhania.
Bzhania thanked Lukashenko for his support and said the economic blockade of Abkhazia by most of the international community was wrong. He also noted that Abkhazia is keenly watching the events in Ukraine. “Every citizen of Abkhazia is concerned about this. You probably know that our citizens are fighting today in the Donbas,” Bzhania said, confirming that soldiers from Abkhazia are fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.
Lukashenko’s visit to Abkhazia shows total disregard for UN charter & principles of Helsinki final act regarding respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of #Georgia.
— Mark Clayton (@MarkClaytonFCDO) September 28, 2022
The #UK stands firm in its support for Georgia in the face of this further provocation.@UKinGeorgia
Lukashenko’s visit is especially concerning for Georgia since he is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who gave the green light for Russian troops to invade the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali (North Ossetia) and Abkhazia in 2008. The Russian military and separatist militias in both regions defeated the Georgian army and eventually annexed Tskhinvali and Abkhazia. Moscow also installed two separate pro-Russian governments and deployed its forces to the regions.