Georgian MFA explains country’s absence among 40 signatories on Ukraine’s lawsuit against Russia

The Georgian Foreign Ministry  provided explanations on Friday over the absence of Georgia’s signature on the lawsuit of Ukraine against Russia for the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Ministry claimed that joining the 40 countries in the move would generate additional obligations for Georgia and could have affected the country’s engagement  in its own, similar lawsuits in international courts against Russia.

The Ministry suggested that Georgia continued to support Ukraine in the International Court of Justice, noting that Georgia was among 39 other states which had applied to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague with a petition earlier this year to initiate an investigation against Russia.

“The investigation has been started and is actively ongoing,” said the Ministry.

“Due to the fact that Georgia itself had filed lawsuits against Russia in various international courts, taking such commitments [to sign a new lawsuit for ICJ ] in advance may affect the processes conducted by Georgia, to which Georgia has directed its maximum efforts. Georgia will continue to actively support Ukraine in international organizations,” said the Ministry.

The opposition has slammed the authorities for not signing the lawsuit.