Foreign Ministry Details Outcomes of Latest Geneva Talks
By Messenger Staff
Friday, July 3, 2026
Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on the 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions, saying its delegation raised "deep concern" over the so-called agreement Russia signed with the Tskhinvali occupation regime on May 9, 2026, on deepening allied cooperation, as well as its "hasty implementation."
The round was held on June 30 and July 1, with the Georgian side led by Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia. The ministry said such agreements are "legally void" and "grossly violate international legal norms," adding that they hinder constructive dialogue.
The Georgian delegation focused on core items on the Geneva agenda, namely Russia's obligation to fully implement the August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement brokered by the EU, and "the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes" from the occupied territories.
Georgian representatives also "sharply raised" what the ministry called the difficult security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the occupied regions, citing the "destructive actions" of the Russian occupation authorities. The delegation stressed the importance of restoring the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Gali "without any preconditions," and holding it regularly in both Gali and Ergneti "in accordance with the fundamental principles."
The ministry said that representatives of Russia and its occupation regimes, "following their usual practice," walked away from the table during discussion of the return of displaced persons and refugees, calling it "one of the most important issues on the agenda."
The Geneva talks were established under the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, and are meant to address implementation of that agreement, the return of displaced people, and the security and humanitarian problems stemming from the Russian occupation.
The next round, the 68th, will be held on November 10-11, 2026.
