Georgian Reconciliation Minister, Geneva Talks Co-Chairs discuss regional security, challenges for Georgia

Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, its impact on global and regional security, and the challenges Georgia faces in the context were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between Tea Akhvlediani, the Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, and the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Talks.

The Office of the State Minister said the meeting had focused on the “dire” humanitarian and legal situation of people affected by the ongoing Russian occupation of two of Georgia’s regions. 

Viorel Moshanu, the Special Representative of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Chairman-in-Office for the South Caucasus, and Cihan Sultanoglu, the United Nations Special Representative, were involved in the meeting as Co-Charis of the Geneva Talks, a platform facilitating discussions between the Georgian Government and the de-facto authorities in the occupied regions of the country.

Another focus of the meeting was unconditional release of citizens of Georgia - Mamuka Chikvaidze, Kakhaber Natadze, Valeri Kaniashvili, Zaza Megrelishvili, Tamaz Gogichashvili and Irakli Bebua - currently in illegal imprisonment in the occupied regions following their unlawful detention by occupation troops.

The discussion also highlighted the need to make progress on a safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and other humanitarian issues.

In addition, the progress of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism - which deals with incidents along the occupation line separating the central Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) from Georgian-controlled territory - and the need for unconditional resumption of the Gali meetings - in the north-western occupied region of Abkhazia - were discussed. 

The Geneva Co-Chairs reaffirmed their readiness to continue efforts for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Georgia.