Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, has addressed the members of the European Parliament on behalf of residents of the Akhalgori region. She made a speech at the session of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). In her speech, she focused on the existing difficult situation in the territories not controlled by the Georgian government.
"Today, I have applied this high-level platform to air all issues or challenges of contemporary relevance, which we face due to the current occupation and unresolved conflicts. I have addressed the members of the European Parliament on behalf of residents of Akhalgori. I have talked on behalf of this people to make their voice heard and make everyone understand in what unbearable conditions these people have to live daily, daily issues which they have to deal with because the only border crossing point was closed, and they have been completely isolated from the outside world, with this threatening their health, lives and is outside all standards. I also focused on their "borderization" attempts in the village of Chorchana and the recently resumed processes in the Gugutiantkari village, with this process being nothing new. On the contrary, this constitutes the element of Russia's long-term policy. I requested their support and redoubled efforts to put an end to injustice and unlawfulness posing a threat to security in Europe," Tsikhelashvili declared, adding that supporting statements were released by the members of the European Parliament. In her words, they totally share the position by the Georgian government, aiming to solve all existing conflicts peacefully. "Russia's destructive actions are unacceptable, and they may not be tolerated. Territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, as well as its peaceful policy, have been fully supported," Tsikhelashvili said and stressed that the European Union and other partners must back Georgia in these tough times.
