Canada calls on Russia to allow the European Union Monitoring Mission access to Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to reach a peaceful solution, the country’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Russia must abide by its obligations under the Ceasefire Agreement of August 12, 2008, and the Agreement on Implementing Measures of September 8, 2008 in order to reach a peaceful and sustainable solution to this conflict. We also call on Russia to allow the European Union Monitoring Mission access to the Georgian territories in which it exercises de-facto control," the minister said.
The top Canadian diplomat recalled that Ottawa still considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia as Georgia’s territories "under Russian occupation." "We will continue to work with our international partners to hold Russia to account for its deplorable and unlawful behavior."
"Canada stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Georgia, in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Freeland stressed.