Sir Roger Gale, MP (United Kingdom) who leads the UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, has again condemned the Russian annexation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossettia.

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Speaking during the week of the twelfth anniversary of the Russian invasion of another CoE Member State Sir Roger, who has visited the territory and seen the “New Berlin Wall” for himself has said:

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“The continued Russian occupation of these lands since August 2008 is as unacceptable as the Russian annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in 2014. It is a gross breach of the Convention on Human Rights, a violation of the UN Charter and a breach of the Helsinki Final Act. It is not compatible with continued Russian membership of the Council of Europe and the PACE. Once again the Russian Federation led by Mr. Putin has been found wanting. Russia must decide whether to play by the rules of the CoE and honour its international obligations or leave.”

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