- The European Union welcomes the 56th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) that was held in Switzerland on 5 October 2022. This was the first GID round held since December 2021. Nevertheless, the channels of communication between the Co-Chairs and the respective participants remained operational during this period.
- As mandated by the EU-mediated Six-point Agreement of 12 August 2008 and the Implementing Measures of 8 September 2008, the GID process continues to serve as the only platform where consequences of the conflict, including issues related to the implementation of the Six-point Agreement and its Implementing Measures, are addressed. This includes discussions on core issues, such as non-use of force and international security arrangements, as well as internally displaced persons and refugees.
- The European Union expresses its concern with regard to the severe and lasting impact this conflict has on the overall security situation in conflict-affected regions of Georgia, as well as on the civilian population. The EU is concerned about the continued illegal Russian military presence and activities in Georgia. We are also concerned about Russia’s attempts to de-facto integrate Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region into Russia’s regulatory and security space, as well as the ongoing “borderisation” activities, the restrictions on movement of civilians across the administrative boundary lines and the arbitrary detentions of Georgian citizens.
- 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 EU-mediated agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008 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 Georgia vs Russia.
- The EU notes positively that the 108th IPRM took place in Ergneti on 23 September and expresses its hope for a fruitful next meeting, planned for 10 November. The EU also calls for the soonest possible resumption of the IPRM in Gali, which should be held in accordance with the established practices and without any preconditions.
- Since October 2008, the EU has been actively involved in conflict resolution efforts and served as Co-Chair together with the UN and OSCE. The EU, as a Co-Chair, remains committed to its active involvement in the Geneva International Discussions.
- As the EU stands united in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified 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.
The Candidate Countries REPUBLIC OF REPUBLIC of NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE and REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, the Potential Candidate Countries BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA* and GEORGIA, the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.
* Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.