A preparatory meeting for the 59th round of the Geneva International Discussions

On 20 November 2023 the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a preparatory meeting for the 59th round of the Geneva International Discussions, between Georgia’s representatives and the EU, the UN and OSCE Co-chairs.

The meeting emphasized the need for the effective functioning of the format in order to make progress on the main issues of the GID agenda, such as the fulfillment of international obligations assumed by Russia under the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, and the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees.

Special emphasis was also put on the importance of restoring the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali without any precondition, and of ensuring the operation of the IPRM in Gali and Ergneti regularly, in accordance with the basic principles.

The Georgian side raised the issue  the violations of the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, frequent illegal and destructive actions in the occupied territories, which aggravate further the security, humanitarian and human rights situation. 

Special attention was focused on the killing of the Georgian citizen - Tamaz Ginturi by the Russian occupying forces near the village of Kirbal, Gori municipality, which is a clear demonstration of the severe consequences of the Russian occupation.

Gross violations of human rights in the occupied regions were discussed at the meeting, including ethnic discrimination of Georgians, restriction of free movement, of illegal arrests and kidnappings of Georgian citizens, and the need for the immediate release of all illegally detained persons. The 59th round of the Geneva International Discussions is planned to be held on 5 and 6 December 2023.