The 39th round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on 28-29 March 2017. The participants of the Discussions took part, in their individual capacity, in the two Working Groups. The meeting was co-chaired by the representatives of the EU, UN and OSCE and attended by the participants from Georgia, Russia and USA, as well as the representatives of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The working groups were headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia and the First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. 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
The participants of the both working groups discussed the situation in the occupied regions of Georgia from a humanitarian point of view, as well as the security issues.
In Working Group I once again were discussed the ways to ensure security and stability in the region. Intensive discussions were held on the issue of non-use of force. In Working Group II the participants talked about the humanitarian issues, as well as the issue of internally displaced persons and refugees. The members of the Georgian delegation provided co-chairs and other participants with detailed information about the militarization and illegal exercises in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The emphasis was on creating the so-called "border zone" in the Gali district, closing the checkpoints, which further restricted the fundamental rights of the local population.


The participants from Georgia stressed that continuation of illegal detentions is not acceptable. It was stressed that it is necessary to take appropriate steps to improve the situation.
During the discussions, the Georgian side demanded to detain of the murderer of Giga Otkhozoria and immediate release of illegally detained Georgian citizens (Giunashvili and Lukava).

Besides, the question of the importance of education in native language was raised (especially, in Gali district), as well as the targeted russification process in the region. The necessity of continuation of work into this direction was highlighted.

Participants from Georgia also discussed the grave condition of cultural heritage on the occupied territories and emphasized the necessity to find appropriate ways to improve this situation. It was noted that in order to study the condition of Lychni, Bedia and the Tiri monastery, it is necessary to admit Georgian and international experts to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The actions of the Russian military in the village of Tsebelda (the destruction of monuments) were assessed negatively. The participants also discussed the ecological situation in the region and noted, that it’s necessary to deepen the cooperation in this direction.

During this discussion of IDP / refugees issue the representatives of the Russian Federation and de-facto regimes left the negotiation room, which vividly demonstrates their unconstructive attitude towards the negotiation process. The co-chairs gave to this step a negative assessment.
The next round of the Geneva International Discussion will be held on 20-21 June 2017.