EU Statement on the 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions, OSCE Permanent Council No. 1572
The European Union welcomes the 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), held in Geneva on 30 June – 1 July 2026. We thank the GID Co-Chairs for their consistent efforts to keep this format operational. The GID remains the only forum addressing the consequences of the conflict, including the implementation of the six-point Agreement and its implementing measures.
We regret the lack of substantive progress on core issues. The EU continues to believe that a clear non-use of force statement by GID participants, including Russia, together with the establishment of a verification mechanism, are essential for enhancing security, building confidence and providing space for further political dialogue. We recall that Georgia has already undertaken such a commitment.
The EU underlines the right of all refugees and IDPs to voluntary, safe and dignified return, as well as to exercise their property rights. We regret that discussion on IDPs and refugees was again not possible due to the walkout by the Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetian participants. This practice has a damaging effect on the GID and must stop.
The European Union remains concerned by the severe and lasting impact of the conflict on Georgia’s security, regional stability and conflict-affected populations. The EU reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s continued illegal military presence and activities in Georgia, including the transformation of the Ochamchire port into a military foothold for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. We are also concerned about Russia’s increasing attempts to de-facto integrate Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia’s regulatory and security space. The so-called “Agreement on Deepening Allied Cooperation” signed on 9 May between Moscow and Tskhinvali, and the appointment of a Russian official as so-called “Prime Minister” of South Ossetia, have no validity under international law. We call on the Russian Federation to reverse these steps and end the economic exploitation of the occupied breakaway regions.
The EU reiterates its call to enable immediate and unimpeded access to Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia for international and regional human rights mechanisms to fully implement their mandates. We are seriously concerned about the enduring human rights violations committed therein and urge Russia to stop ongoing “borderisation” activities, as well as the restrictions on the movement of civilians across the administrative boundary lines and the arbitrary detention of Georgian citizens. Furthermore, we urge Russia to ensure the proper follow-up of the landmark judgement of 21 January 2021 of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Georgia vs Russia.
The EU positively notes the smooth operation of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), and once again calls for the immediate resumption of the IPRM in Gali, without any preconditions.
The EU calls on Russia, as a party to this conflict, to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and to fulfil in full, and without further delay, its obligations under the “six-point” agreement and its subsequent implementing measures.
We reaffirm our support for the continued activities of the EU Monitoring Mission, the only legitimate international monitoring presence on the ground. Granting EUMM access to both sides of the administrative boundary lines would strengthen stability and security.
The EU remains unwavering in its support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Notwithstanding the EU’s ongoing commitment to Georgia’s security, we are concerned regarding the worsening political and human rights situation in the country. Progress on democratic reforms, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental freedoms remain essential for advancing on the European path.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.