Georgian Foreign Ministry condemns "presidential election" in South Ossetia

The "presidential election" in the occupied South Ossetian (Tskhinvali) region is another illegal act of Russia against Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said, Report informs.

The ministry noted that the "elections" are utterly contrary to the norms and principles of international law:

"Such provocative actions are aimed at legalizing the unlawful occupation of Georgian territories and ethnic cleansing against Georgians. The election will have no legitimate results, and the 'referendum' to join Russia will be the next unlawful step for annexation.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry called on Russia to respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, fulfill its international obligations, including the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, and cancel its decision to recognize the occupied territories as independent entities.

"We call on the international community to assess appropriately and respond effectively to Russia's illegal move to undermine Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the ministry said.

Today the self-proclaimed "Republic of South Ossetia" is holding presidential election. The "president" of the illegal regime, Anatoly Bibilov, said on March 30 that legal steps would be taken in the near future to integrate the "republic" into Russia.