64th Round of Geneva International Discussions

On June 25-26, the 64th round of Geneva International Discussions (GID) – a multilateral format to address security and humanitarian consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war – was held in Geneva.

Georgian MFA Statement

The Georgian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister and Georgian Dream member Lasha Darsalia, stressed the need for the “full implementation” of the EU-brokered 2008 ceasefire agreement by Russia, as well as the return of Georgia’s internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes, the Georgian Foreign Ministry stated.

The Ministry’s statement added that the Georgian delegation emphasized the importance of resuming the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali “without any preconditions” and ensuring the continued functioning of both the Gali and Ergneti IPRMs.

The delegation raised the “difficult” security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the occupied regions and along the occupation lines, “expressing concern over recent actions such as the illegal launch of the airport, in violation of fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as the start of regular flights, railway traffic from Russia to Sokhumi, and the launch of an electric train service.”

According to the Georgian MFA, representatives of Russia and the occupied regimes, “as is their usual practice,” left the talks when the issue of returning internally displaced persons and refugees was raised.

Geneva Co-Chairs Communique

The press communiqué of the Co-Chairs said they welcomed the participants for their “continued commitment to this important process,” emphasizing, amid increased tensions in the wider region, the need for the talks to “make progress and deliver on its core agenda items for the benefit of all conflict-affected people.”

On June 26, the participants reviewed security developments on the ground since the last round of discussions in March. “They continued their discussions, with a particular focus on non-use of force and international security arrangements,” the communiqué says, adding that the Co-Chairs emphasized the importance of commitment to the principle of non-use of force and “acknowledged the substantive exchanges of views on this agenda item.”

In another working group, discussions focused on humanitarian issues, including crossings, documentation, livelihoods, missing persons, cultural heritage, and education. Participants also had additional exchanges on issues related to freedom of movement and external mobility.

“Due to a walkout by some participants, the agenda item “internally displaced persons and refugees” could not be discussed,” the Co-Chairs note.

Russian MFA Statement

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that for the key objective of the Discussions — “to ensure lasting security for Abkhazia and South Ossetia” — the Russian side emphasized the importance of “concrete steps,” noting that, in “practical terms,” this should involve “the provision by Tbilisi of guarantees on the non-use of force against Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, formalized through a legally binding agreement.”

“Further stabilization in the region could also be supported by confirmation — within the GID — of the ‘reconciliation’ statements made by the Georgian authorities regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and by putting those into practice.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the urgency of these measures stems from the “ongoing risks of Tbilisi attempting to reestablish control over the former regions by military force, as well as Georgia’s continued rapprochement with NATO,” citing the country’s “close cooperation” with the Alliance, including “regular participation in NATO-led military training exercises.”

Saying the participants noted “relative calm” on the ground, supported by dialogue channels under the GID — including hotlines and the Ergneti IPRM — the Russian Ministry’s statement added that security in the region could be further strengthened by resuming the Gali IPRM, and “by initiating the delimitation of Georgia’s borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, followed by their demarcation.”

The Russian side further criticized Georgia’s introduction of what it described as a “highly politicized” resolution at the UN General Assembly on internally displaced persons, saying it hinders the GID’s humanitarian track.

“Georgia’s attempts to force parallel discussions of this issue at other international platforms outside the GID — where official representatives of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali are denied access and, consequently, the opportunity to present their principled positions — will continue to block consideration of related topics within the GID format,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry further claimed that Switzerland has lost “its declared neutral status,” citing its joining of sanctions against Moscow by the “collective West,” and said it “remains relevant” to relocate regular GID meetings from Geneva to a “truly neutral and acceptable venue for all participants.”

Abkhaz Participants

The statement from Abkhazia’s de facto foreign ministry said its representatives “once again emphasize the importance of intensifying efforts to conclude a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force” between Sokhumi and Tbilisi.

It also echoed the Russian Foreign Ministry by saying the issue of IDPs’ return “cannot be the subject of dialogue” for both occupied regions, “as long as its consideration in the UN General Assembly is carried out without taking into account the opinions of both parties.”

South Ossetian Participants

The representatives from the occupied Tskhinvali region, alongside Russian representatives, “once again called on the Georgian party to launch joint work on the delimitation and subsequent demarcation of the state border” between Tskhinvali and Tbilisi, urging formal negotiations on the issue.

They also drew “serious attention” to what they described as “ongoing gross violations by Georgia of the rights of Ossetians — natives of the Kazbegi region (Tyrsygom) — who have been denied access to their ancestral lands by Georgian authorities for many years.”

The representatives from the occupied regions jointly stated that “resuming discussions on the refugee issue would only be possible if Georgia renounced the artificial politicization of the problem and stopped discussing it behind the backs of other states involved in resolving it.”

The next round of Geneva International Discussions is scheduled for November 2025.

Also Read:

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• 07/11/2024 – 62nd Round of Geneva International Discussions
• 18/09/2024 – Tskhinvali Says It Expects “Practical Measures” After Ivanishvili Promises Apology to Ossetians
• 27/06/2024 – 61st Round of Geneva International Discussions
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