Azernews.Az

No one must deprive internally displaced persons of the right to return to their homes, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur, expert on the protection of IDPs Chaloka Beyani, Presidential Administration of Georgia reported in its statement on June 13.

The main topic of the meeting was the protection of the right of IDPs to return to their homes, improve their state and planning of joint activities to address these issues.

The Georgian president also drew attention to the importance of supporting the UN resolution on the refugees' right to return to their homes. This resolution will be discussed in the UN General Assembly later on June 13.

"Georgia has about 500,000 refugees in its territory who are unable to return to their homes. We have done a lot to provide them with housing, but a lot is still have to be done. However, the main task is to ensure their return to their homes. In connection with this the adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly is very important," Saakashvili said.

According to the president, Georgia hopes for the assistance of international organizations in the issue.

Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia after their August 2008 war over the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgia lost one-fifth of its territory after the two republics broke away. Tbilisi announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories in September 2008.