Georgian deputy FM: negotiation process at Geneva International Discussions “particularly difficult”, fulfilment of 6-point agreement by Russia on Georgia’s agenda
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. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia on Wednesday said the Russian delegation earlier today had left the negotiating table, “as in all previous rounds”, while discussing the return of internally displaced persons at the 58th round of the Geneva International Discussion.
The Georgian foreign office on Thursday highlighted the “destructive” stance of representatives of Russia and its occupation regimes at the 58th round of the Geneva International Discussions, a platform facilitating talks between the Georgian Government and de facto authorities in the country’s Russian-occupied regions.