TBILISI, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Georgia's state minister for conflict resolution issues said Friday that the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhasia have been and will always remain part of Georgia.
Giorgi Khaindrava slammed statements made earlier by South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity that the unrecognized republic in Georgia was de facto a part of Russia.
"Let him say whatever he wants to say," Khaindrava said. "I know that Russian military units and people who are attempting to bite off a part of Georgian territory and give it to Russia will follow the so-called peacekeepers on their way out from Georgian territory."
Earlier Friday, Kokoity told a press conference in Moscow: "At present, South Ossetia is de facto a part of Russia, because 90% of the citizens of the unrecognized republic are Russian citizens who have Russian passports."
He added that Russian laws were enforced in South Ossetia and that the ruble was an official currency.
Khaindrava also said Abkhazia had always been and would remain an integral part of Georgia.
"We are ready to talk about rights and guarantees that meewt international standards and we are willing to give [Abkhazia] even more rights," Khaindrava said.
He said any talks on the future of disputed regions should be based on three main principles - unconditional return of Georgian refugees to their homes in Abkhazia, guarantees of Georgia's territorial integrity, and observance of human rights.
