Support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity reaffirmed by CoE Committee of Ministers

The 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the declaration reaffirming the support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognised borders.

The Lichtenstein presidency presented the declaration, which also calls on Russia to “immediately, completely and unconditionally” withdraw its military forces from Georgian territory, the foreign office said on Saturday.

The ministerial welcomed the May 7, 2024 decision of the CoE and its 46 member states on 'the Council of Europe and the conflict in Georgia', supporting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as taking into account the 29th consolidated report of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the conflict in Georgia.

• Council of Europe supports document on Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity

Georgia’s European Union membership candidate status, which the country obtained last year, was mentioned in the context of EU enlargement, with the Committee highlighting the importance of the CoE’s involvement in the European integration process.

Lasha Darsalia, the Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister and Tamar Taliashvili, Georgia's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe participated in the Session, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Council, which was held on Thursday and Friday in Strasbourg.

In his address, Darsalia focused on the difficult situation created by Russia in Georgia's occupied regions and thanked the CoE member states for their unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He once again stressed the country’s commitment to the Council’s fundamental values - democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

On the sidelines of the Session, Darsalia held bilateral meetings with the officials of the CoE and its member states.