At UN Assembly, Georgian leader warns of region’s security threats

In his address at the 70th United Nations General Assembly, Irakli Garibashvili, Georgia’s Prime Minister said his country is building democracy even in the face of security threats in the region, and condemned Russia’s ongoing annexation of its territories.

“Since my last address to the UN, I regret that the Russian Federation signed so called ‘integration treaties’ with Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Russia therefore continues to illegally extend its control over Georgian sovereign territory. I condemn this creeping annexation and Russia's disregard for international law,” he declared.

He also noted that this seizure has led to the displacement of a large number of locals in the occupied territories of Georgia.

“The freedom of movement and the basic rights of a free nation are crushed along with the hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands of victims of ethnic cleansing who only wish to return to their places of origin,” he declared.

The Prime Minister also urged Russia to uphold the resolution on the ‘Status of IDPs and Refugees from Abkhazia, Georgia, and the Tskhinvali Region]South Ossetia, Georgia,’ annually adopted by the UN General Assembly.

He asserted that relations with Russia cannot be settled at the expense of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.

“I hope that the Russian Federation will finally fulfil its international obligations, including the August 12, 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and act as a responsible member of the international community,” he said.

However, the Prime Minister added that despite the annexation, Georgia is keen on forging pragmatic relations with Russia. “To that end, we have taken a number of concrete steps to advance trade, transport communication, humanitarian contacts, and tourism when and where possible with Russia,” he explained.

As for the Abkhazian and Ossetian peoples, he said that he firmly believed that no one will rewrite history and “erase our common past. All attempts to cut off our ties and divide our peoples will fail.”

“You will benefit from a growing Georgian economy and from our Association Agreement with the European Union – including increasing trade and visa liberalization. The arc of history is for more cooperation, more integration, and more prosperity. When we work together, we all succeed and benefit. I look forward to the day when you will share in our mutual prosperity,” he said.

He also informed the Assembly that despite the challenges Georgia has made attempts to solidify its democracy, improve healthcare, create employments, provide education, and advance its economy.

The Prime Minister also announced that Georgia will host a first-ever high-level Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi in a few weeks. Located centrally between Europe and Asia, Georgia played host this year to the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the first meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

“Re-opening the Silk Road is an important opportunity to ensure deeper economic and cultural ties between Asia and Europe. The Silk Road region accounts for two thirds of the world's population and 60 per cent of its [gross domestic product]. I am convinced the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum offers great potential to promote cooperation and regional integration,” he added.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili is among the many leaders who will address the general debate of 70th General Assembly which opened this year with the adoption of Agenda 2030 and 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Made up of all the 193 Member States of the UN, the Assembly provides a forum for multilateral discussion of international issues covered by the UN Charter.