I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The European Union welcomes the Secretary General’s thirty first consolidated report on the conflict in Georgia and reiterates its support to the Reykjavík Summit Declaration, which calls on the Russian Federation to comply with its international obligations and to withdraw its forces from Georgia. The EU fully supports the fundamental objective of the Council of Europe to uphold the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.

The EU also recalls the relevant judgements of the European Court of Human Rights that conclude that after 12 August 2008 as well as during and before the August 2008 war, the Russian Federation, exercising effective control over Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, violated and continues to violate numerous provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. The EU calls upon the Russian Federation to fully comply with the judgements of the ECHR. We also note the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court in relation to individuals believed to be responsible for war crimes during the August 2008 war. We reiterate our call immediate and unimpeded access to these regions for international and regional human rights mechanisms to fully implement their mandates.

The EU condemns the Russian Federation’s illegal military presence in the Georgian regions, recognition of these regions as independent „states“, military exercises, and ongoing "borderization" conducted there. The EU expresses concern about Russia’s reported steps towards establishing a permanent naval base in Georgia’s region of Abkhazia and launching unauthorized flights from Russia to the airport in Sokhumi in gross violation of the international law and ICAO regulations. The EU condemns the process of incorporating Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions into Russia’s political, military, economic, judicial, social and other spheres. The EU does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework in which the so-called presidential elections that took place in the Georgian region of Abkhazia on 15 February 2025. 

The EU deplores the dire human rights and security situation in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and impunity surrounding grave human rights violations in both regions. We call for the full reopening of all crossing points at the “Administrative Boundary Lines” and the release of all those illegally detained. Access to these regions should be provided to all human rights and humanitarian organizations. The EU regrets that the Council of Europe authorized bodies have not been granted access to Georgia‘s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 

The EU deeply regrets that no progress could be reported regarding voluntary, safe, dignified and unhindered return of internally displaced persons and refugees based on internationally recognised principles.

The EU praises the work of the ICRC and calls upon all actors involved to redouble their efforts to help advance the clarification of the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. 

The EU underlines the importance of peace-building activities implemented by non-governmental organizations and civil society actors across the divides and to continue in this vein ensuring enabling environment for CSOs.

The EU remains highly committed to supporting  comprehensive resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict, including through the work of the EU Special Representative and the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM). The EU supports Council of Europe Confidence-Building Measures and encourages their continuation. The EU, as a Co-Chair, remains committed to active involvement in the Geneva International Discussions (GID).

We reiterate our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. The EU calls on Russia, as a party to this conflict, to fulfil its obligations under the agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008 in full and without further delay.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom.