1. The European Union welcomes the Secretary General’s twenty-fifth consolidated report on the conflict in Georgia. The EU remains convinced of the importance of this issue for the political agenda of the Council of Europe and encourages the Secretary General to continue the submission of such reports covering, inter alia, the question of human rights protection in the areas affected by the conflict in Georgia.
2. The EU deplores that no effort has been made to implement the Deputies’ decisions on the conflict in Georgia, including the latest one adopted on 12 May 2021, and requests their implementation without further delay.
3. The EU does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework in which the so-called parliamentary elections took place in the Georgian region of Abkhazia on 12 March 2022, as well as the so-called presidential elections in the Georgian region of South Ossetia on 10 April 2022, and views their outcome as illegal. We also condemn all plans for a possible “referendum” in South Ossetia, which would constitute a further violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
4. The EU condemns the continuing Russian illegal military presence in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We recall the landmark judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 21 January 2021 in the case of Georgia v. Russia (II), which clearly concludes that after 12 August 2008 the Russian Federation, exercising effective control over Georgia’s South Ossetia and Abkhazia, violated numerous provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Russian Federation must ensure proper follow-up of the ruling, including, as foreseen in the ruling itself, through an adequate and effective investigation into the events which had occurred during the active phase of hostilities, as well as after their cessation, and to hold all those responsible for human rights violations accountable.
5. The EU deplores the dire human rights and security situation in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The ongoing violations of the freedom of movement are detrimental to the security, safety and well-being of the local population. We call for the immediate reopening of all “crossing points” and urge to release all those illegally detained along the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABLs) without delay.
6. Tensions in the Chorchana-Tsnelisi area continue to be a source of serious concern. We deplore the ongoing "borderisation" activities along the ABLs, including the extension of fences, the installation of new surveillance equipment, and increased monitoring around “crossing points”, and urge to discontinue them immediately. Immediate access to the Georgian region of South Ossetia should also be provided to humanitarian organizations.
7. The EU denounces continuous discrimination of Georgians on the grounds of ethnicity in both Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We remain deeply concerned about various restrictions on freedom of movement, residence rights, work and property rights, as well as access to services and education in one’s native language in both entities. We note the 10 March 2022 decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, taken in the scope of investigation authorised by the International Criminal Court in January 2016 into the Situation in Georgia for war crimes and crimes against humanity, to file an application for arrest warrants in relation to three individuals from the de facto authorities of South Ossetia, Georgia, focused specifically on unlawful confinement, ill-treatment, hostage taking and subsequent unlawful transfer of ethnic Georgian civilians.
8. The EU remains deeply concerned by the impunity surrounding grave human rights violations in conflict-affected areas, which continue to undermine human security. The EU reiterates its call for a proper investigation and for justice to be served in relation to the tragic deaths of Georgian nationals Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria, David Basharuli, Irakli Kvaratskhelia and Inal Jabiev, as well as for the immediate release of illegally sentenced Irakli Bebua. We also condemn the illegal detention of Genadi Bestaev, whose subsequent death serves as another tragic illustration of the devastating consequences of the illegal actions of the de facto regime.
9. The EU deeply regrets that no progress could be reported regarding voluntary, safe, dignified and unhindered return of internally displaced persons and refugees based on internationally recognized principles.
10. We welcome the Georgian government’s commitment to peace policy and continued efforts aimed at launching an inclusive process of elaboration of the “State Strategy for De-Occupation and Peaceful Conflict Resolution”. The EU remains highly committed to supporting peace building and conflict resolution in Georgia. We continue to believe that the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs) are key platforms in this regard. We will continue to engage in the work of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM), which is the only international presence on the ground. We also support Council of Europe Confidence-Building Measures and encourage their continuation.
11. In conclusion, we reiterate our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders and demand that Russia fulfil its obligations under the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Liechtenstein, Island, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Turkey and Ukraine.