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. We extend our warm welcome to Hailu Mamo as the newly appointed acting UN representative at the GID.

2. The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. We reiterate the continuing central importance of the GID process as it is mandated by the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and the implementing measures of 8 September 2008.

3. We regret that the discussion on core issues, including on the international security arrangements, have not brought tangible results so far. We encourage further efforts in this direction. Moreover, we continue to believe that a clear non-use of force statement by Russia, together with the establishment of a verification mechanism, are essential for enhancing security, helping to build confidence and providing space for further political dialogue.

4. We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s ongoing military presence in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of international law and OSCE core principles and commitments as well as Russia's obligations under the six-point agreement of 2008. The EU 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. Furthermore, we condemn Russia’s reported attempts to establish a permanent naval base of its Black Sea Fleet in Georgia’s occupied breakaway region of Abkhazia.

5. We are also concerned about continued attempts by Russia 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. We deplore the unilateral decision by the Russia to launch regular commercial passenger flights to Sukhumi in Georgia's occupied breakaway region of Abkhazia.

6. The EU remains concerned about human rights violations and the persisting humanitarian challenges faced by the conflict-affected population. In particular, the EU underlines the importance of the right of refugees and IDPs to a voluntary, safe and dignified return, as well as of being able to exercise property rights. We express regret that so far no progress has been achieved on these issues due to the walkout by the Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetian participants from the meetings of the Working Group. We urge to end this obstructionist practice as it has a damaging effect. The EU calls upon the participants in the GID to engage in a genuine dialogue on the various displacements which took place over the past three decades, as well as partial returns of IDPs. In this regard, we welcome the efforts of the Georgian government to find durable housing solutions for IDPs and to improve their living conditions and livelihoods.

7. We rieterate our call for ensuring immediate and unimpeded access to Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia for international and regional human rights mechanisms.

8. We take positive note of the smooth cooperation in the framework of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), including on irrigation water sharing. The EU reiterates the importance of resuming the Gali IPRM meetings without further delay.

9. Furthermore, we urge 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.

10. The EU, as a Co-Chair, remains committed to active involvement in the Geneva International Discussions. 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. In this regard, we emphasise the importance of enabling the EUMM’s access to both sides of the ABL.

11. Notwithstanding the EU’s ongoing commitment to Georgia’s security, we are concerned regarding the worsening political and human rights situation in the country. The EU reiterate its readiness to support the Georgian people’s European aspirations, and the country’s path towards accession should the Georgian authorities reverse their present course of action.

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Ukraine and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.