In all armed conflicts that have occurred on the territory of Georgia over the past 34 years, our country has always defended its legitimate, state interests, - reads a statement issued by the Strong Georgia - Lelos coalition, which refers to the 34th anniversary of the Abkhazian war.

As noted in the statement issued by the coalition, the military intervention carried out by Russia in 2008 is a continuation of the military aggression that began in 1992.

“On August 14, 1992, the armed conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, began with the opening of fire against the Georgian National Guard and police. Today is another reminder - since the day of the restoration of independence, the Georgian state has been repelling military aggression, the aim of which is to divide the country and limit its sovereignty.

The military intervention carried out by Russia in 2008 is a continuation of the military aggression that began in 1992.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the community of democratic countries has continued to support the territorial integrity of our country. The return of IDPs expelled from the occupied territories as a result of ethnic cleansing has been actively supported in all relevant international formats, both by the EU member states and the United States of America. The success of the so-called “non-recognition” process is also a result of their effective policy. Against this background, the deliberate campaign of the ruling political force, which attacks those countries whose support is crucial to protect Georgia’s state interests, declaring Georgia’s friends as enemies, while Russia as the country’s historical ally, once again and clearly confirms that Ivanishvili’s regime does not serve our country’s interests.

The systematic anti-European campaign, which has spread in recent days even against the ceasefire agreement signed under the auspices of the European Union in 2008, harms Georgia’s interests. We consider the criticism of this agreement by Ivanishvili’s representative, Irakli Kobakhidze, to be a significant challenge that could endanger both the EU Monitoring Mission, which is the only valid security guarantee on the territory of our country today, and the format of the Geneva talks. We believe that the ruling regime has entered a dangerous new stage in the deliberate struggle that it has been actively waging for years against Georgia’s sovereignty and independence, and its European future.

Therefore, today, when we remember the date of the start of the armed conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia, in 1992, we would like to state once again: in all armed conflicts that have occurred on the territory of Georgia over the past 34 years, our country has always defended its legitimate, state interests. The problem of Georgia's territorial integrity can only be resolved peacefully, by restoring trust and with the participation of the international community. The statements made by the Ivanishvili regime directly strengthen the political and propaganda positions of the occupation forces and push the country towards further international isolation. This contradicts the interests of Georgia and serves the Russian agenda. These statements and actions will certainly be given an appropriate political and legal assessment when the Georgian people restore democracy, regain power through elections and replace the Ivanishvili regime with national authorities," reads the statement.