Geneva International Discussions Co-Chairs Meet with Georgian Delegation in Tbilisi
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
On February 10, co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), representatives from the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) held a meeting in Tbilisi with Lasha Darsalia, the head of Georgia's delegation to the GID. The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming 63rd round of discussions, set to take place on March 4-5.
The GID, established following the August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement brokered by the EU, serves as a platform for addressing issues stemming from the Russian occupation of Georgian territories. Co-chaired by the EU, UN, and OSCE, the discussions involve multiple parties, including representatives from Georgia, Russia, the U.S., and both the exiled Georgian administrations of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, along with the Russian-backed authorities of these regions.
The talks are divided into two main working groups: one focused on peace and security, and the other on humanitarian concerns. Central issues under discussion include the implementation of the 2008 ceasefire agreement, the return of displaced persons and refugees, and the security and humanitarian challenges resulting from the ongoing occupation of Georgian territories.
According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the meeting covered critical topics on the GID agenda, such as the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement, its implementation, and the return of internally displaced persons. Additionally, the importance of resuming the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali, without preconditions, was underscored. The IPRM, designed to facilitate communication and address security incidents, is considered vital for regional stability.
The Georgian delegation also raised concerns over the security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the occupied territories and near the occupation line. The Georgian side called attention to actions that violate international law and threaten Georgia's territorial integrity, notably the illegal launch of an airport in occupied Abkhazia and the planned presidential elections in the region, which Georgia deems unlawful and an affront to its sovereignty.
The upcoming GID discussions are expected to continue addressing these critical issues in the hope of advancing peace and security in the region.
