Georgia, EU hold their fifth Strategic Security Dialogue

The Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Wednesday hosted the fifth high-level Strategic Security Dialogue between Georgia and the European Union, reflecting the “strong level” of commitment by both parties to take the cooperation forward, including foreign and security policy, in accordance with the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

The European Union Delegation to Georgia reported that the parties had highlighted the “historic” importance of the decision of the European Council in June to recognise the European perspective of Georgia, also praising the country’s role as an “important partner” in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions.

The sides expressed readiness to continue “deepening” security cooperation in line with the priorities set out in the EU Strategic Compass, as well as addressing the hybrid threats and increasing Georgia's capacities and resilience, among others through the European Peace Facility.

The topical foreign policy issues, security challenges in the South Caucasus and the wider region, including Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, were also discussed, with the sides highlighting the “critical importance” of increasing connectivity, including in the Black Sea as a “mutual priority”.

The participants called upon Russia to fully implement the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire Agreement, discussing the consequences of the conflict between Russia and Georgia in 2008, including the conflict dynamics in Georgia's Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). 

The importance of the Geneva International Discussions, as well as the role of the EU Monitoring Mission for peace and security in Georgia, was highlighted, with the EU reaffirming its “unwavering” support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

Georgia remains one of the closest and most important partners of the EU in the region. [...] the EU reiterates its firm commitment to support Georgia to achieve peaceful conflict resolution, as well as to contribute to the stabilisation of the whole region”, the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora noted, who co-chaired the annual dialogue with the Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia.

Darsalia said the Georgian side had shared with the EU the “challenges and risks” arising from Russia’s “continued occupation” of Georgia’s regions and added the meeting had also served as an “important platform” to identify next steps towards enhancing the country’s cooperation in the CSDP.