Kavelashvili: Abkhazia, South Ossetia must remain part of Georgia

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has said that Abkhazia and Samachablo, a Georgian term for South Ossetia, must remain part of Georgia, stressing that the government is pursuing a policy of peaceful reconciliation.

Speaking at an event marking the 18th anniversary of the August 2008 war, Kavelashvili said Georgia’s territorial integrity remained non-negotiable, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

"There is no reality in which anyone could imagine Georgia without Abkhazia and Samachablo. Everyone in the world must understand that no Georgian citizen, under any circumstances, will allow these territories to exist separately from the country. This is an axiom that no one can deny," he said.

Kavelashvili said the Georgian authorities were pursuing a targeted policy focused on peaceful reconciliation and coexistence within a unified state.

"For centuries, we have lived together with our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters and built the state together. We believe that we share common values... Our goal is to overcome the consequences of these tragic events peacefully, and I am confident that this will certainly happen. Georgia will be united, and all its residents will have a worthy place in the state," Kavelashvili said.

The president also honoured the memory of Georgian service members and civilians killed during the 2008 war and expressed condolences to their families.

He said the war had resulted in Georgia losing territories and villages, while local populations continued to face the consequences of what he described as the occupation.

By Sabina Mammadli