PRESS RELEASE : 60th round of Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE [April 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Acting Ambassador Deirdre Brown voices strong continued UK support for the Geneva International Discussions as well as for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the work of the GID Co-Chairs in the 60th round of discussions against the backdrop of a highly challenging geopolitical environment. As the only international forum that brings together all sides from the conflict, the GID plays a vital role in trying to achieve a lasting resolution.

I reaffirm the UK’s full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We continue to call on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

We welcome the review of the current security situation on the ground by the participants which they assessed as relatively stable.

We call upon the Russian Federation to immediately fulfil its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, fulfil its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and cease all borderisation tactics.

We express our support for the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs), concern over the lengthy suspension of the Gali IPRM and we urge its resumption without further delay or pre-conditions, in line with the ground rules.

We regret that important issues including of internally displaced persons and refugees were not discussed due to a walkout by some participants. Progress on the Geneva process must include movement on these key issues. However, we welcome the continuation of dialogue on challenging topics at this significant stage and look forward to the next round due to take place in June.

Thank you, Madam Chair.