Russian delegation leaves 58th Geneva International Discussions Another fiasco of Russian-Georgian negotiations

The Russian delegation has left the 58th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) again while discussing the issue of the return of displaced persons.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said, “The issue of the return of displaced persons should be discussed in a calm, non-politicized environment with the representatives of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“The discussion on current issues, such as ensuring regional security, was continued at this round. Russia, on behalf of our allies, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia, reiterates the need for a non-use-of-force agreement from Georgia.

Georgia’s resolutions to the UN General Assembly have a one-sided politicised nature and do not reflect the egalitarian reality; moreover, representatives from Abkhazia and Ossetia do not participate in the talks. This is an injustice that must be corrected.

I am forced to explain to you that we do not consider Abkhazia and Ossetia to be occupied; these two regions have become independent, free republics, and Russia recognises them as such. It is not a question of who recognises it; these republics recognise their independence,” he added.

In turn, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia said that the Russian delegation earlier today had left the negotiating table, “as in all previous rounds”, while discussing the return of internally displaced persons at the 58th round of the Geneva International Discussion.

In his comments to the media, Darsalia noted that Russia showed “no signs” of starting the discussions over the issue of the return of IDPs and emphasised it was the “key topic” of the EU-mediated Six-Point Agreement of 2008 on ceasefire.

“Any progress” in the Geneva process can be considered as achieved only in case of the discussions of the issue of IDPs, Darsalia stressed and noted it had to be resolved “sooner or later”, adding Russia was obliged for this by the international law, the decisions of the international courts, resolutions and the 2008 Agreement.

Established as international discussions to address the consequences of the 2008 war in Georgia, the Geneva International Discussions were launched in October 2008 and are co-chaired by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the European Union and the United Nations.

The process brings together representatives of the participants of the conflict - Georgia, Russia and Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) regions - as well as the United States.

The 58th round of the Geneva International Discussions took place on July 11-12 in two working groups on security and humanitarian issues.