Geneva Discussions on Georgia’s conflicts “important” amid Russia-Ukraine war - EU official

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.