Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

10/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/24/2024 09:15

Report by the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE, October 2024

The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the work of the GID Co-Chairs. We look forward to the next round of discussions scheduled for 5-6 November. As the only international forum that brings together all sides from the conflict, the GID plays a vital role in trying to achieve a lasting resolution.

Madam Chair, the United Kingdom reaffirms its full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We call on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. We commend Georgia's commitment to not use force in resolving the conflict, and condemn any suggestion Georgia or its allies including the United Kingdom would seek a military solution against Russian aggression.

We continue to call upon the Russian Federation to immediately fulfil its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, fulfil its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and cease all borderisation tactics. We also continue to call for immediate and unimpeded access to Georgia's breakaway regions for international and regional human rights mechanisms to fully implement their mandates.

The United Kingdom welcomes the continuation of dialogue on challenging issues through the GID platform, and will follow closely both the outcome of the 62nd round of discussions and the presentation of the next Co-Chairs' Report to the Permanent Council.

Thank you, Madam Chair.