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Chair, Honourable Members [of the European Parliament], 

This year marks 15 years of Russia’s illegal presence in Georgia since the war in 2008. The European Union’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia is as strong as ever.   

We condemn Russia’s continued military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which violates international law and the commitments undertaken by Russia.

Local communities continue to suffer from humanitarian challenges and human rights violations. The killing of Tamaz Ginturi is yet another blatant violation of human rights, committed by Russian Federation Border Guards in Georgia. This adds to the list of Russia's illegal activities in the Georgian occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and demonstrates the deterioration of the human rights situation there.  

Such actions include: fencing along South Ossetia’s Administrative Boundary Line, repeated and protracted closures of crossing points as well as the use of force, and illegal and arbitrary detentions of Georgian citizens.  

Russia’s effective control of South Ossetia and Abkhazia continues to violate several provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights. This was underlined by the European Court of Human Rights’ judgement in the inter-State case concerning the armed conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation in August 2008.  

Since October 2008, the European Union has been fully engaged in conflict resolution efforts in Georgia. It has done so in the capacity of co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions and through the efforts of the EU Special Representative [for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Toivo Klaar].  

The EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM Georgia), present in Georgia for 15 years now, remains the only legitimate international presence on the ground. The Mission has played a central role, among others, in enabling the communication among the parties involved, de-escalating tensions on the ground and monitoring the situation, following the killing and illegal detention of two Georgian citizens. 

The European Union reconfirms its commitment to stabilisation and conflict resolution in Georgia, and reiterates its firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. 

We urge all parts of this conflict to engage constructively in the discussions to achieve the full implementation of the six-point agreement of 2008 and we urge Russia to fulfil all its obligations. The EU Special Representative will insist once again on the European Union’s expectations during the Geneva International Discussions this December.  

Thank you. 

Link to video (starting as of 12:40): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-249467