Georgian deputy FM: negotiation process at Geneva International Discussions “particularly difficult”, fulfilment of 6-point agreement by Russia on Georgia’s agenda

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.

Despite existing difficulties and the challenges we face, it has been possible to hold the Geneva round, [...] it can be said that it was a particularly difficult round, [...] as there was a certain break between the rounds, and also today there is a rather complicated security environment around us [Georgia], which is reflected in the [Russian-] occupied territories as well”, Darsalia said.

Darsalia noted that along with the implementation of the six-point agreement, the “important issues” related to the Georgian-Russian conflict, including the return of internally displaced persons to their homes and the security guarantees, as well as international security mechanisms in the Russian-occupied territories were on the meeting's agenda. 

The deputy minister said that “unfortunately” the Georgian side, which has been fulfilling its obligations under the agreement, had not had “any positive response” from the Russian side that refused to fulfil the mentioned obligations, but Darsalia noted the process of negotiations “continued” and meeting after “such a long break” has been a “step forward”.

There will be a moment when we will have the opportunity to specifically talk about the step-by-step resolution of the conflict", Darsalia added.

Darsalia thanked the co-chairs of the Discussions and the American side for their “efforts” to hold the 56th round of negotiations and stressed the importance of the position of Georgia’s international partners in this matter.

Toivo Klaar, the European Union special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia said the sides had had a “very useful” exchange of views, and noted it had been a “useful meeting” with “everyone committed” to continuing working in the Geneva format. 

At the Geneva discussions, we [the United States] reaffirmed, as we always do, our strong and continued support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognised borders. The 2008 six-point agreement needs to be implemented, and of course we are concerned about the issues of internally displaced persons [...], a topic on which we will continue to focus on”, Philip Reeker, the US senior advisor for Caucasus negotiations noted.

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 EU, 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 US.