1. The European Union welcomes the 63rd round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) on 4-5 March 2025 and thanks the GID Co-Chairs for their consistent efforts to keep this format operational.
2. As mandated by the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and the implementing measures of 8 September 2008, the GID process continues to serve as the only platform where the consequences of the conflict, including issues related to the implementation of the six-point agreement and its implementing measures, are addressed.
3. We welcome the commitment of participants to remain engaged in the GID. We call however for more engagement on substance, including on core issues. Moreover, we believe that renewed non-use of force statements by GID participants, including Russia, together with the establishment of a verification mechanism, are essential for enhancing security, helping to build confidence and providing space for further political dialogue.
4. We take positive note that, despite challenging discussions, participants in Working Group 2 managed to address several humanitarian issues, including crossings, documentation, freedom of movement, livelihoods, missing persons and education. At the same time, 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. It must stop.
5. The European Union is concerned about the conflict’s severe and lasting impact on the overall security situation in Georgia and the wider region, as well as on the well-being of the conflict-affected people. The EU condemns the continued illegal Russian military presence and activities in Georgia. We are also concerned about Russia’s attempts to de-facto integrate Georgia’s occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia’s regulatory and security space, as well as ongoing “borderisation” activities, the restrictions on the movement of civilians across the administrative boundary lines and the arbitrary detention of Georgian citizens.
6. 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 respective mandates. We are seriously concerned about the enduring human rights violations committed therein. We recall that OSCE commitments in the human dimension apply to all participating States and need to be respected in consequence by all of us.
7. The EU calls on Russia, as a party to this conflict, to recommit itself to respecting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and to fulfil its obligations under the agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008 in full and without further delay.
8. The EU notes positively that the 123rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting took place in Ergneti on 14th February 2025. The EU once again calls for the earliest possible resumption of the IPRM in Gali, which should be held in accordance with established practice and without any preconditions.
9. The EU, as a Co-Chair, remains committed to active involvement in the Geneva International Discussions. The EU’s commitment to Georgia’s security is also proven through the continued activities of the EUMM – the only legitimate international monitoring presence on the ground.
10. The EU remains unwavering in its support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Furthermore, the European Union's objective is to support Ukraine to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. The proposal of a ceasefire - if accepted by Russia - can be an important step in this direction. It is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace. The European Union is ready to play its full part in supporting the upcoming steps, together with Ukraine, the United States, and other partners.
11. The EU looks forward to the next GID round, which has been agreed will take place in Geneva on June 2025.