Geneva Hosts the 58th International Discussion on Caucasian Security and Stability
Representatives from Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Georgia, Russia, and the USA convene at the notable event.
SUKHUM / AQW'A — The 58th round of the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the Caucasus took place on July 11 and 12, 2023. The notable event convened representatives from Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Georgia, Russia, and the USA. It was jointly presided over by the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Leading the Abkhazian delegation was Deputy Foreign Minister Irakli Tuzhba. The delegation was also joined by Lasha Avidzba, the Head of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arthur Gagulia, the Head of the Department for Interaction with International Organisations, and Zaal Kvartsikiya, the Deputy Chairman of the State Security Service.
At the forefront of the discussions, the Abkhazian delegation proposed a draft for a legally binding document on the international guarantees of non-use of force. This key issue aligns with the principles stipulated in the sixth point of the "Medvedev-Sarkozy" agreements. However, the Georgian delegation did not share the same cooperative spirit, repeatedly failing to demonstrate a constructive approach to resolving the crucial matter. Further discussions on this topic have been postponed to the next round.
Beyond the main agenda, delegates exchanged views on several ancillary security matters. Observations were made concerning the prevailing calm and stable environment within the region. A significant focus was the revival of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in the city of Gal. The Abkhaz delegation affirmed their commitment to reactivate this mechanism, though the Georgian representatives remained unresponsive to the Abkhaz initiatives to unblock the IPRM's operations.
Additionally, within the purview of the second working group, humanitarian issues were thoroughly examined. Abkhazian delegation, in particular, highlighted the necessity to ensure freedom of movement for its citizens. The 58th round also brought to the fore numerous humanitarian concerns, encompassing areas such as access to education, provision of medical care, and addressing several other pressing challenges.
The follow-up, the 59th round of the International Geneva Discussions on Security and Stability in the Caucasus, is slated to occur on December 5-6, 2023.