1. On 7 August, we marked 18 years since the outbreak of the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, the consequences of which continue to undermine Georgia's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also having profound humanitarian consequences to this day.
2. We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s recognition of Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We consider that Russia’s ongoing military presence and activities in these regions without the consent of Georgia’s government are illegal and violate international law and Russia's obligations under the 12 August 2008 six-point agreement.
3. The EU is concerned about Russia’s increasing attempts to de facto integrate Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia’s regulatory and security space. The so-called “Agreement on Deepening Allied Cooperation” signed on 9 May between Moscow and Tskhinvali, and the appointment of a Russian official as so-called “Acting President” of South Ossetia have no validity under international law. Such actions further undermine the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The EU does not recognise the constitutional and legal frameworks, including their recent amendments, under which the so-called illegal “presidential elections” will be organised in Georgia’s occupied breakaway region of South Ossetia on 18 September, and will consider their outcome null and void.
4. We call 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, in full and without further delay, its obligations under the “sixpoint” agreement and its subsequent implementing measures.
5. The European Union remains concerned by the severe and lasting impact of the conflict on Georgia’s security, regional stability and conflict-affected populations including the internally displaced persons.
6. We are seriously concerned about the enduring human rights violations committedin occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We urge Russia to stop ongoing “borderisation” activities as well as the restrictions on the movement of civilians across the administrative boundary lines and the arbitrary detention of Georgian citizens. Obstacles for internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their place of origin persist. 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.
7. The EU notes that the 134th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting took place in Ergneti on 8 September and once again calls for the immediate resumption of the IPRM in Gali, without any preconditions.
8. The EU remains fully committed to peaceful conflict resolution, including through its role as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions (GID), the work of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and the continued presence of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM Georgia), the only legitimate international monitoring presence on the ground. We strongly believe that granting EUMM access to both sides of the administrative boundary lines would strengthen stability and security.
9. The European Union reaffirms its unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and remains committed to fostering peace in the region.