Georgian, European, UN officials highlight “importance of effectiveness” of Geneva Int’l Discussions ahead of meeting

Officials from the Georgian Government, the European Union, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Tuesday highlighted the “importance of effectiveness” of Geneva International Discussions, a platform facilitating talks on the consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, in a meeting ahead of the 63rd session of the talks next month.

The meeting involved the co-chairs of the Discussions from the UN and European structures and was chaired by Lasha Darsalia, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and the head of the Georgian delegation in the talks, the Georgian foreign office said.

The discussions focused on “ensuring  effectiveness” of the discussion format, emphasising the need for “progress on key agenda issues”.

The meeting highlighted the need for  Russia to fulfil its international obligations under the 2008 EU-mediated ceasefire agreement, which requires Moscow to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory and ensure safe return of displaced persons.

The discussion also underscored the importance of restoring the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, a platform for information exchange on incidents along the line separating the occupied regions from Georgian-controlled territory, in the town of Gali “without any preconditions” and ensuring its regular operation in both Gali and Ergneti, in accordance with its “fundamental principles”.

The Georgian side highlighted the “security, humanitarian, and human rights” situation in the Russian-occupied regions and near the occupation line.

Concerns were raised over actions taken in “blatant violation of international law” which the Georgian representation said aimed at  “illegal annexation” of the occupied territories, such as  illegal operation of an airport in Abkhazia.

Furthermore, the Georgian side condemned the so-called “presidential elections” planned in the Abkhazia region, emphasising its illegality as a “further violation” of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The 63rd round of the Geneva International Discussions is scheduled to take place between March 4-5.