Georgian opposition urges new Syrian government to revoke Abkhazia recognition
Georgian opposition appeals to new Syrian authorities
Four Georgian opposition parties—United National Movement, Strong Georgia, Coalition for Change, and For Georgia—have called on the new Syrian government to revoke its recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia. The parties made this statement at a joint briefing.
The text was signed by the leader of the New Political Centre – Girchi, Zurab Japaridze, the chair of the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava, one of the leaders of Strong Georgia, Irakli Kupradze, and a member of the For Georgia party, Berdia Sinachava.
Syria recognised the independence of Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia on 28 May 2018. At the time, Georgia’s parliamentary majority deemed the decision illegal and stated:
“We believe these actions are the result of manipulation by Russia. The Assad regime has violated fundamental norms of international law and supported the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Georgia, the occupation of the Abkhazian and Tskhinvali regions, as well as the ethnic cleansing that has been ongoing for many years. The Assad regime has ignored the territorial integrity of a sovereign state and its internationally recognised borders.
In this regard, we consider it justified to initiate the procedure for severing diplomatic relations with the Syrian Arab Republic.”
What does the statement say?
“Your Excellency, we, the democratic political forces of Georgia, congratulate the people of Syria on the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal dictatorship under your leadership. We hope that the changes taking place in your country will open new prospects for cooperation between our states.
The Georgian people are peacefully fighting against an unlawful authoritarian regime supported by the Kremlin. Accordingly, we, the four main democratic forces in Georgia, representing the will of Georgian citizens and their aspiration for a free and democratic statehood, appeal to you with a call to work together with us and annul Syria’s recognition of the independence of the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia: Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region (the so-called South Ossetia).”
As you know, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region are recognized as independent states only by dictatorial regimes linked to Russia, such as Venezuela and Nicaragua. In 2018, dictator Bashar al-Assad, in response to Russia’s support for his brutal regime, also recognized these Georgian regions.
The Syrian and Georgian peoples share a millennia-old history of cooperation and friendship. Our nations have every opportunity to develop truly fraternal and productive relations for the benefit of both countries. In this context, Syria’s withdrawal of recognition of the occupied Georgian regions would play a decisive role.
Your Excellency, we want to assure you of our sincere respect.”
According to Syrian media reports, de facto Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa will assume the presidency during the country’s transitional period.
Additionally, Syrian rebel military commander Hassan Abdul Ghani has announced the annulment of Syria’s 2012 constitution and the dissolution of the previous regime’s parliament, army, and security services.
Ahmed al-Sharaa will form a temporary legislative council to assist in governing Syria until a new constitution is adopted.
Syrian rebels, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, seized Damascus on 8 December and overthrew the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Assad is currently in Russia, where he has been granted asylum.
How did Georgian politicians respond to the appeal?
Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, stated:
“All four pro-Western opposition parties have sent an appeal with our signatures to the new Syrian government, which, despite Russia’s resistance, is now leading the country. The inhumane Assad regime has fallen.
In 2018, Syria recognized the independence of Abkhazia. When the Assad regime collapsed and a new government came to power, the Georgian government, instead of calling on the new authorities to revoke the recognition of Abkhazia’s independence, remained silent.
Therefore, we, the pro-Western opposition, fulfilling our patriotic duty and acting in the interests of our homeland, have appealed to the new Syrian government to revoke its recognition of Abkhazia.”
The leader of the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava, also commented on the appeal:
“We have reached out to the new Syrian government, a political force that, with the support of the people, managed to overthrow Assad’s bloody dictatorship—proof that Russia is facing setbacks everywhere: in Syria, Moldova, Romania […] We are also in contact with our partners—the US, the UK, Ukraine, and other countries—which are now establishing diplomatic relations with the new Syrian government to strengthen the policy of non-recognition of occupied territories.”
