Geneva Talks: Georgia hopes for constructive dialogue
Tweet 
Share
A Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister David Dondua is in Switzerland where the 32nd round of the Geneva International Discussions convenes on June 30 and July 1.
At this round of talks, the Georgian side hoped for constructive and result-oriented dialogue, as the previous talks were held in a tense atmosphere.
Since 2008 the Geneva International Discussions (GID) have been the only format of dialogue between Georgia and Russia, where, according to the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, issues including non-use of force, creation of international security arrangements in breakaway Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, and safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees are discussed.
Before this round of talks, Dondua issued a special statement and said the success of the negotiation process and thorough discussion of existing problems significantly depended on the respect by all GID parties to the format, agreed procedures and agenda of the talks.
"On our part we attach particular importance to having constructive and result-oriented dialogue within the Geneva International Discussion,” he said.
"We hope that this time participants will show a responsible attitude towards the negotiation process and will not endanger the round as well as the established practice of conduct of the GID. We also expect the Co-Chairs to use all their efforts within their mandate to hold the round in accordance with the procedures.”
The previous round of talks coincided with the day when Russia invited representatives of the occupied regime in Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), one of Georgia’s two breakaway regions, to the Kremlin in March to sign the so-called "treaty" on 'Alliance and Integration' with the Russian Federation.
A Georgian delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister David Dondua has departed for Switzerland where the 31st round of the Geneva International Discussions convene on March 17 and 18.
Georgia is blaming Russia for its "deliberate affront” to the international community and the peace process.
The Georgian Government has created a new inter-agency working group that will focus on the current developments in Georgia’s conflict zones.
The European Union (EU) has extended the mandate of its Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.
Tbilisi-Abkhazia agree to restore talks in Gali
The 35th round of Geneva International Discussions – the only international format of meetings addressing Georgia-Russia relations – has ended positively.
Officials from Georgia, Russia, de-facto authorities from Georgia’s two breakaway regions and international conflict resolution experts are meeting this week to discuss the tense situation near Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
De facto Abkhazia failed to react to murder of Georgian man near ABL, says MFA
Georgian officials have sat down with de facto Abkhazia leadership and European mediators for the latest round of the Geneva International Discussions, which ended poorly when the Russian and de facto sides walked out of the meeting in protest.
Austrian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman Sebastian Kurz has congratulated the Georgian people on yesterday’s historic vote to allow for visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.
Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze stated late on Thursday that Georgia is working together with its international partners within the Geneva International Discussions to adopt a non-use of force statement with the discussion participants.
Georgia and Russia were unable to agree on a non-use of force statement at the Geneva International Discussions that would oblige all the members of the Geneva talks not to use force against one another. "Russia showed a destructive attitude and deliberately brought the discussions on the statement to a dead end,” the Georgian ministry reported.