The 35th round of Geneva International Discussions took place on 23 March 2016. Participants of the discussions contributed the two Working Groups, into their individual capacity, the first focusing on security and stability in the occupied territories of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, and the second on the issues related to the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees to the places of origin. The discussions are co-chaired by the representatives of the EU, the UN and OSCE, and attended by the participants from Georgia, the Russian Federation and the United States. The Head of the Provisional Administration of the former South Ossetian Autonomous District and the Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia took part in the discussions, as well as the representatives of Sokhumi and Tskhinvali occupation regimes.
The talks were conducted in a dynamic atmosphere. The participants held discussions on subject matters that were featured into the agenda within the both working groups.
Following lengthy consultations and concentrated efforts, a principal agreement was reached on the restoration of Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali, which was assessed by the Co-Chairs and participants very positively. After a four year gap, the resumption of Gali IPRM is a serious step for ensuring stability on the ground, which will significantly contribute to the protection of fundamental rights of local population as well.
The Co-Chairs and participants positively appraised the exchange of detainees as an important step towards the confidence building between the war-turn communities. The Co-Chairs and participants also welcomed the restoration of tripartite coordination mechanism, where the issues of missing persons are discussed through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Participants from Georgia reviewed the security situation in the occupied territories within the First Working Group, with special emphasis given to the ongoing militarization process and increasing number of military drills in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, and also to the implications of the integration of Georgia’s occupied regions into Russia’s military, economic and social space, through the implementation of the so-called “treaties.”
In such circumstances, the Georgian delegation stressed the necessity of the Russian commitment on the non-use of force and creation of international security arrangements on the ground, in order to ensure the implementation of August 12, 2008 Ceasefire Agreement. This will contribute to achieving transparency on the ground, as well as to confidence and security building measures. The working group of experts continued to work on the draft statement on the non-use of force by the participants.
Participants from Georgia also focused on the developments near Jariasheni village in early March. It was noted, that such incidents further aggravate the already difficult situation of the local population by restricting their rights to freedom of movement and to property. The Georgian delegation paid a special attention to the new discriminative regulations that have been introduced in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, which put the residence of the local Georgian population at the places of their origin at risk and make a direct challenge to the stability and security on the ground.
Participants discussed all issues of the agenda within the Second Working Group, including, the freedom of movement, the right to education into native language, the need to protect human rights within the occupied territories, the return of the internally displaced persons and refugees, humanitarian visits and co-operation in the sphere of cultural heritage and environment protection.
Georgian participants discussed critical humanitarian consequences of the artificial barriers and so called “border” signs installed along the occupation line. The Georgian participants sharply raised the issue of access of the local population to their land plots and urged to respect the rights of local populations, inter alia, the property right. In this context, the Georgian delegation also emphasized that the discrimination of the local Georgian population on ethnic grounds is inadmissible, which became evident especially after the new regulations enforced by occupation regimes.
The Georgian delegation repeatedly raised the issue of restrictions on education into native language in the occupied territories, particularly in Gali district, and demanded to ensure the possibility to receive education into Georgian language. The delegation has expressed its concern that despite the fact that the issue was at the centre of international attention at numerous rounds, the situation remains unchanged locally.
Georgian participants and representatives of international organizations once again underscored the need for international monitoring on the ground.
Discussions on the issue of return of IDPs and refugees sustained. The Georgian delegation along with the international organisations, demanded to conduct substantial, result-oriented negotiations on the issue which remains indispensable.
Participants underlined the need to work together in a view of protecting common cultural heritage. Discussion also included the issue of gas supply for the local population. The Georgian delegation reconfirmed its readiness to supply gas to Akhalgori population – the offer made by the Georgian side for many times before and rejected due to the objections from some participants.
The next 36th round of the Geneva International Discussions will be held on 14-15 June 2016.
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