The Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the 63rd round of the Geneva International Discussions [GID].

“The 63rd round of the GID took place between March 4 and 5 with the Georgian delegation led by Lasha Darsalia, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. During the discussions, the Georgian delegation focused on the key issues on the agenda of the GID, such as the need for Russia to fully implement its international obligations under the August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement brokered by the European Union, and the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees from the occupied territories to their homes.

The need for the unconditional resumption of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali and for regular meetings in both Gali and Ergneti in accordance with fundamental principles.

The Georgian delegation expressed serious concern over the dire security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the Russian-occupied regions, the ongoing illegal militarization, and Russia’s construction of an illegal naval base in Ochamchire and the reopening of the Sokhumi Airport.

The Georgian side also condemned the so-called “presidential elections” held in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and the meeting between the leader of the occupation regime and the Russian President, which represented another step toward annexation and a blatant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

As in previous instances, representatives of Russia and the occupation regimes walked away from the negotiating table when the discussion turned to one of the most critical issues - the return of IDPs and refugees to their homes”, - reads he statement.