Geneva Discussions on Georgia’s conflicts “important” amid Russia-Ukraine war - EU official
Toivo Klaar said the EU lacked many of such formats amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting it was “especially important to maintain communication channels at such a time”.
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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.
In his press comments, the official stressed the bloc believed the format of Discussions - launched in 2008 following Russia’s invasion of Georgia - should be “protected and preserved” as a “unique platform” for exchanging positions between those involved.
He added the EU lacked many of such formats amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting it was “especially important to maintain communication channels at such a time”.
I believe the most important thing is that we have these Discussions, which are held regularly, and allow us to exchange positions and views, to assess the situation. Expecting transformative results for this stage will probably not be the right goal”, he said, reiterating the “opportunity” of meeting and exchanging views on challenging topics was “significant at this stage”.
Established as international discussions to address the consequences of the 2008 war in Georgia, the platform was launched in Geneva in October 2008 and is co-chaired by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the EU and the United Nations.
The 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 United States.
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 Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said Georgia-Russia relations were limited to “one international platform” in the form of the Geneva International Discussions on matters related to conflicts on the territory of the country.
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 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.
A European Parliament report adopted on Wednesday highlighted the need for “stronger and more ambitious, credible, strategic, tangible and unified” European Union action to address frozen conflicts across the word, ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the consequences of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
The current situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories and near the occupation line, as well as security challenges in the country and the “borderisation” process in Georgian villages adjacent to the ABL, was discussed on Wednesday by Grigol Liluashvili, the Head of the Georgian State Security Service and Toivo Klaar, the European Union's Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in the country.