Georgian deputy FM: Geneva International Discussions to focus on need for Russia to follow 2008 ceasefire
The deputy minister stressed Russia had “always shied away” from fulfilling its commitments, and this “destructive approach” had “intensified in recent months”. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Georgian deputy foreign minister Lasha Darsalia on Wednesday said the 56th round of the Geneva International Discussions would focus on the need to fulfil the obligations undertaken by Russia under the 2008 ceasefire agreement that ended the conflict between the two countries.
Today's round will focus on the need to fulfil the obligations undertaken by Russia. This concerns the six-point agreement, the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the [current] difficult situation in the [Russian-] occupied regions and the deteriorating security environment around Georgia”, Darsalia told Imedi TV.
The deputy minister stressed Russia had “always shied away” from fulfilling its commitments, and this “destructive approach” had “intensified in recent months”.
I would like to thank the co-chairs [of the Geneva International Discussions]. The United Nations, OSCE, European Union are involved, as well as the American side. After such a pause, with their efforts, we have the opportunity to resume discussions”, Darsalia concluded in his comments.
The Geneva International Discussions have been established as international talks to address the consequences of the 2008 war in Georgia. They were launched in Geneva in October 2008 and are co-chaired by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the European Union, and the United Nations.
The Geneva process brings together representatives of the participants of the conflict - Georgia, Russia and Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) regions - as well as the United States.
Security environment in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia and in the vicinity of the occupation line, as well as the illegal actions of the occupation forces, were discussed on Friday in a meeting between the Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili and the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions from the UN and OSCE - Cihan Sultanoğlu and Viorel Moșanu.
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday highlighted security risks Georgia faced on the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a country that had a part of its territory occupied.
The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday appointed Ambassador Philip Reeker as Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, and noted the significance of the Geneva International Discussions, a platform created following the 2008 Russia-Georgia war and in the wake of the ongoing occupation of Georgian regions, for the US.
Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), who met with the Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani on Wednesday, have released a statement on the “borderisation” process near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.
Peter Stano, the spokesperson for the external affairs of the European Union, on Wednesday said the bloc remained committed to its “active involvement” in the Geneva International Discussions as a Co-Chair of the talks.
Georgian deputy foreign minister Lasha Darsalia on Wednesday said the negotiation process at the 56th round of Geneva International Discussions had been “particularly difficult”, and noted the Georgian side, “as always”, had included the fulfilment of the six-point agreement by Russia in its agenda.
Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia on Tuesday said deoccupation of the country’s Russian-occupied regions, withdrawal of the occupation troops to the pre-2008 war lines and return of internally displaced persons would be in focus of tomorrow’s latest round of the Geneva International Discussions.
Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia on Wednesday said “all responsibility” for Georgia’s occupied territories rested with Russia, and noted the stance was “not only a political statement, but also a legally proven fact”.
Toivo Klaar, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, on Wednesday said the Geneva International Discussions, a platform facilitating talks between the Georgian Government and de facto authorities in the country’s Russian-occupied regions, was “vital” for security and stability.