Turkish MFA tries to justify visit of Abkhazia’s President by medical grounds

PanARMENIAN.Net - With the President of Abkhazia set to visit Turkey between April 7 and 10, Turkish Foreign Ministry extended support for Georgia's territorial integrity.

"Turkey perfectly shares the sensitivity of Georgia concerning her territorial integrity. In that respect, Turkey respects and supports the territorial integrity of Georgia within her internationally recognized borders, a policy that remains a fundamental position," said a written statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on April 7.

The ministry, however, in the statement avoided using the title of the Abkhazian official Sergei Bagapsh and emphasized that it was not an "official" visit, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

"The visit of Mr. Sergei Bagapsh to Turkey will take place purely on medical grounds upon the invitation by the civil society associations founded by Turkish citizens under their sole responsibility. The visit has by no means an official character," said the ministry statement.

"Turkey reconfirms its commitment to deepening the strategic relations between Turkey and Georgia to the benefit of our peoples and the region at large," it added.