U.S. Participation in the Geneva International Discussions on the Conflict in Georgia
Press Statement by the U.S. Delegation
The United States welcomes the agreement by the Georgian and Abkhaz participants to restart the Gali Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism during the thirty-fifth round of the Geneva International Discussions on March 22-23.
Suspended since 2012, this security mechanism facilitates contact between Georgian and Abkhaz law enforcement professionals to defuse tensions, provides more transparency along the Administrative Boundary Line, and improves the situation on the ground for all people affected by the conflict. We look forward to an announcement soon by the Co-Chairs and participants of the date of the next meeting.
We also welcome the March 10 agreement reached between Georgian, Abkhaz, and South Ossetian representatives to release prisoners, an important humanitarian gesture that can build trust between participants in the Geneva International Discussions.
The United States applauds the constructive approach taken by the participants during this round and appreciates the facilitation by the Co-Chairs to achieve these positive results.
Together with Georgia, Russia, and representatives of the de facto authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the United States participates in the Geneva International Discussions, which are co-chaired by the EU, UN, and OSCE, and began in 2008 to address the consequences of the conflict in Georgia.
The United States fully supports Georgia’s territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders.