Maka Botchorishvili: The visit by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to Georgia is a clear testament to the fact that support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains an important item on the Organization’s agenda

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, made a statement to the media following her meeting with Ignazio Cassis, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councilor and  Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs.

The Minister noted that the visit of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office was of particular significance for Georgia as a participating State of the Organization, especially in the current challenging geopolitical context.

As Maka Botchorishvili noted, Switzerland is an important partner for Georgia. In addition to its OSCE Chairpersonship, Switzerland has for many years played the role of mediator in relations between Russia and Georgia, making its engagement all the more significant for Georgia.

In her statement, the Minister placed particular emphasis on Georgia’s occupied regions, ways to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and the importance of the Geneva International Discussions. In this context, she highlighted the important role of the OSCE, as Co-Chair of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), in the process of peaceful conflict resolution. She noted that it was of fundamental importance for Georgia to continue working within this format and to ensure the active engagement of international partners.

"The Geneva International Discussions remain the only framework that provides an opportunity for dialogue on an issue of paramount national importance to our country: Russia’s occupation of two regions of Georgia and its severe consequences,“ Maka Botchorishvili stated. 

In her statement, Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on Georgia’s unwavering commitment to its policy of peaceful conflict resolution.

“Georgia remains firmly committed to its policy of the peaceful resolution of the conflict, which entails, on the one hand, the de-occupation of the territories occupied by Russia and, on the other, the restoration of trust and reconciliation among conflict-affected populations,” Maka Botchorishvili emphasized. 

The Minister also underscored the importance of safeguarding Georgia’s sovereignty and making decisions based on national interests in order to preserve peace and stability in the country. She noted that it was precisely this policy that enabled Georgia to maintain stability, ensure dynamic economic development and play a significant role in the region.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also spoke about Georgia’s role in the OSCE’s economic dimension, particularly in the area of connectivity. She noted that her meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office had focused on strengthening cooperation in this area and exploring the growing potential of the economic dimension as an important component of security.

According to Maka Botchorishvili, Georgia is a constructive and responsible participating State of the OSCE, committed to the Organization’s principles and respectful of the Organization and its institutions.

“Today, we are fully aware of the challenges associated with multilateral diplomacy and once again express our readiness to contribute, through relations based on mutual respect, to upholding the principles and norms that underpin the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe,” Maka Botchorishvili emphasized.