EU Statement in response to the report by the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions

OSCE Permanent Council No. 1493

Vienna, 24 October 2024

EU Statement in response to the report by the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions

1. The European Union welcomes the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) at the Permanent Council and thanks them for their address. We also wish to thank the Co-Chairs for their consistent efforts in keeping the GID format operational.
2. The GID process continues to serve as the only platform where the consequences of the conflict, including issues related to the implementation of the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008, are addressed. This includes discussions on core issues, such as the non-use of force and international security arrangements, as well as internally displaced persons and refugees.
3. We urge Russia to make a clear non-use of force statement as we continue to believe that such a commitment, together with the establishment of a verification mechanism, are essential to enhance security, help build confidence and provide space for further political dialogue. We recall that such a statement was already made on numerous occasions by Georgia.
4. While the discussions on the international security arrangements have not brought any results so far, we encourage further efforts in this direction.
5. We regret that much needed discussions on IDPs and refugees in Working Group 2 on humanitarian issues continue not to be possible due to the walkout by the Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetian participants from the meetings of the Working Group. We urge the participants to end this obstructionist practice as it has a damaging effect.
6. The European Union expresses its concern with regard to the severe and lasting impact this conflict has on the overall security situation in Georgia and the wider region, as well as on the well-being of the conflict-affected populations. The EU condemns the continued illegal Russian military presence and activities in Georgia. We are also concerned about Russia’s attempts to de-facto integrate Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia’s regulatory and security space, as well as the ongoing “borderisation” activities, the restrictions on the movement of civilians across the administrative boundary lines and the arbitrary detentions of Georgian citizens. Additionally, we condemn Russia’s reported plans to establish a permanent naval base of its Black Sea Fleet in Georgia’s occupied breakaway region of Abkhazia.
7. The EU reiterates its call on Russia to enable immediate and unimpeded access to Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia for international and regional human rights mechanisms to fully implement their respective mandates. We are seriously concerned about the lasting human rights violations committed therein. We condemn the continuous practice of illegal detentions of Georgian citizens. It is imperative that such incidents as well as any further escalation are prevented, and perpetrators brought to justice.
8. The EU calls on Russia, as a party to this conflict, to recommit itself to respecting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and to fulfil its obligations under the six-point agreement and its subsequent implementing measures in full and without further delay. The EU also urges Russia to ensure the proper follow-up of the landmark judgement of 21 January 2021 of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Georgia vs Russia.
9. The EU notes positively that the 121^st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting took place in Ergneti on 12 September and expresses its hope for a fruitful next meeting, planned for 19 November. The EU once again calls for the earliest possible resumption of the IPRM in Gali, which should be held in accordance with the established practices and without any preconditions.
10. We encourage Georgia to engage residents from the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the process of building mutual trust and reconciliation, with active participation of representatives from Georgian civil society and NGOs.
11. Since October 2008, the European Union has been fully engaged in conflict resolution efforts, including as co-chair in the GID and through the efforts of the EU Special Representative. In this regard, we would like to welcome Magdalena Grono, who will assume her duties on 1 November and wish her all the success in her new role. The EU’s commitment to Georgia’s security is also proven through the continued activities of the EUMM – the only legitimate international presence on the ground. At the same time, we emphasise the importance of enabling the EUMM’s access to both sides of the Administrative Boundary Lines.
12. The EU looks forward to the next GID meeting, which has been agreed to take place on 5-6 November 2024.
13. As the EU stands united in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, we also reiterate our condemnation of the blatant breach of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by the Russian Federation since August 2008. The EU remains unwavering in its support to Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.