International community pressure on Syria: Call for withdrawal of recognition of abortion from Georgia's Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions
In a significant move, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted the Porto Declaration and a series of resolutions on Thursday, addressing the territorial integrity concerns of Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria. The declaration, which was passed during the plenary session, reaffirms strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these nations and condemns the holding of elections in occupied territories under foreign control.
The focus of the declaration was on the 2025 presidential election in Abkhazia, a region with limited international recognition, considered by the international community, including Georgia and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as part of Georgia’s sovereign territory. The election, which took place amid political turmoil and external influence, saw Vice President Badra Gunba emerge as the winner with 55% of the vote.
The election was heavily influenced by Russia, which supported Gunba and the Ankvab faction. Russian officials provided subsidized gas and coordinated a media campaign in Gunba’s favour, including disinformation and alleged voter fraud at polling stations in Moscow and Cherkessk. The Armenian minority's unified support, facilitated by Russian and Armenian diaspora media, was pivotal in securing Gunba’s victory.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's recent statements reiterate the importance of respecting internationally recognized borders and oppose foreign aggression and occupation, reflecting the broader stance against unilateral secessionist actions like those in Abkhazia. While the 2025 election proceeded under Abkhazia’s de facto authorities, it is not recognized under international law, and Georgia continues to claim sovereignty over the region.
In addition to addressing the issue of elections held in Abkhazia under Russian control, the declaration also addresses the Russian Federation’s recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent states. The Assembly calls on the Russian Federation to revoke these recognitions, to fulfill the EU-mediated 2008 ceasefire agreement, and to cease its efforts to forcibly separate Georgia's occupied territories.
The declaration also extends to the issues of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) in Georgia, Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine, and the Syrian Government's recognition of the so-called "independence" of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions. The Assembly urges the Syrian Government to withdraw these recognitions, reflecting the Assembly's commitment to the territorial integrity of all nations.
In summary, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Porto Declaration and accompanying resolutions reaffirm the international community's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria. The Assembly's stance against separatist elections and foreign aggression serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting internationally recognized borders and upholding the principles of peace and democracy.
- The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Porto Declaration and resolutions, in addressing the 2025 presidential election in Abkhazia, highlight the importance of avoiding war-and-conflicts, particularly those arising from unilateral secessionist actions, as the election was heavily influenced by politics and external interference.
- The focus of the declaration extends beyond Abkhazia, as it also opposes the Russian Federation's recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent states, a move that aligns more broadly with politics, including the contentious issues of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) in Georgia, Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine, and the Syrian Government's recognition of the so-called "independence" of these regions, which undermine the territorial integrity of various nations, a key aspect of general-news.