International Maritime Organization sends note to Georgian Foreign Ministry

"The Organization has officially notified the member states of the illegality of shipping in the territorial sea of Abkhazia, Georgia without the consent of the Georgian authorities and of possible sanctions from the Georgian side in case of such illegal shipping," the statement says.

The Note sent in March concerned the inadmissibility of shipping of foreign vessels in the Territorial waters on the segment of Abkhazia.

"The Note indicates that Abkhazia is an integral part of Georgia, whichh is presently occupied by the Russian Federation," the Ministry explains. "Territorial integrity of Georgia is recognized by the international community and therefore, any attempt of illegal shipping to Abkhazia, Georgia is considered as a breach of the basic norms and principles of international law", it adds.

The Note also makes a reference to the domestic legislation of Georgia, in particular, it emphasizes that in compliance with the Georgian Constitution, Georgian higher state bodies have the exclusive competence to administer the status and protection of territorial waters. Besides, pursuant to the Law of Georgia on the Maritime Space of Georgia, the outer limit of Georgian territorial sea is the State Border of Georgia and therefore, any vessel crossing or attempting to cross the state border of Georgia without passing through the border checkpoint shall be considered as a violator of the state border of Georgia and shall be subject to respective sanctions.


/Georgia Times/