EU external affairs spox: bloc committed to “active involvement” in Geneva International Discussions
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. Photo: Reuters
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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.
The EU welcomed the fact of the 56th round of the talks - established as a platform for meetings on the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia - was convening in Switzerland today, stressing that “since October 2008, the EU has been actively involved in conflict resolution efforts and served as Co-Chair together with the UN and OSCE”.
The Geneva International Discussions remains the key platform in which the consequences of the conflict and other important issues are addressed. It serves to build confidence and to respond to pressing humanitarian needs of the local population. This is of even greater importance in the current geopolitical context”, the statement noted.
Earlier today, Georgian deputy foreign minister Lasha Darsalia said today’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia on Wednesday said during today’s round of the Geneva International Discussions “Russia saw plainly that Georgia is not alone and enjoys the strong support of its partners”.
Toivo Klaar, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia who also co-chairs the Geneva International Discussions on conflicts on the territory of the country, on Wednesday highlighted the importance of the platform amid Moscow’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.