Deoccupation, withdrawal of Russian troops, IDP return in focus of Geneva International Discussions
In his remarks on the round of talks through the platform facilitating discussions between the Georgian Government and de facto authorities in the occupied regions, Darsalia highlighted the importance of the discussions on the backdrop of the currently “deteriorating security environment”. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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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.
In his remarks on the round of talks through the platform facilitating discussions between the Georgian Government and de facto authorities in the occupied regions, Darsalia highlighted the importance of the discussions on the backdrop of the currently “deteriorating security environment”.
On this backdrop, the next round of the Geneva Discussions is of great importance, as topics such as ensuring security in a broad sense, the implementation of the six-point [ceasefire] agreement [of 2008] - where the main topic is deoccupation, withdrawal of Russian occupation troops to the pre-war lines and return of IDPs - are discussed in Geneva”, he said.
Darsalia stressed the support from the United States and the European Union for Georgia was “important” in the process.
At this round, it becomes even more important to discuss the main issues, which is the fulfilment of all six points [of the ceasefire agreement] - especially the provision of international security mechanisms. Georgia will raise this issue as a matter of principle”, the diplomat noted.
“The only main topic at the Geneva Discussions - if we are talking about any type of improvement of the situation - may be related to the improvement of the situation in the occupied territories and the process of deoccupation. Any other process cannot be called improvement of the situation between Georgia and Russia”, he concluded.
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.
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 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”.