MAKA BOTCHORISHVILI: “THE OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL’S VISIT TO GEORGIA IS A SIGNIFICANT MESSAGE AND A STEP FORWARD”
“The OSCE Secretary General’s Visit to Georgia is a significant message and a step forward” – stated Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, following her meeting with the OSCE Secretary General. According to the Minister, the visit and the multiple high-level meetings held with the Secretary General underscore the significance of Georgia’s cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current situation in the region and the challenges facing Georgia. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that two regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) - remain under Russian occupation, thus violating the country’s territorial integrity.
Deliberations on the situation in Georgia must continue within the framework of the OSCE, and we must do everything in our power to achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict. We value the OSCE’s involvement in the Geneva International Discussions and attach great importance to the effective functioning of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs). In this regard, we consider it necessary to ensure the unconditional resumption of the Gali IPRM. Ensuring international access to security and human rights monitoring mechanisms in the occupied territories is also of vital importance. Georgia remains committed to peace and stability in the region. Therefore, I would like to reiterate the Georgian Government’s unwavering commitment to a peace policy” - stated the Minister. She also expressed gratitude to the Secretary General for visiting the occupation line and for acquainting herself firsthand with the grave humanitarian situation on the ground.
The Minister further noted that as a participating State of the OSCE, Georgia places high importance on promoting security and cooperation across Europe. She emphasized that all OSCE participating States must remain committed to the principles of international law and to the founding values of the organization.
The meeting also focused in particular on ensuring peace and stability in the South Caucasus. The Minister highlighted Georgia’s active role in this regard, including the recent trilateral meeting hosted in Tbilisi between the foreign ministries of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.
“I am pleased that the first trilateral meeting between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia was held in Tbilisi last week. I express hope that we will be able to continue cooperation in this trilateral format for the benefit of regional prosperity” - Botchorishvili stated, stressing Georgia’s strong support for the deepening of regional cooperation.
The Minister also underscored that Georgia respects the independence of the OSCE’s institutions and their mandates. She declared it unacceptable for certain actors to attempt to manipulate these institutions for narrow political interests aimed at undermining the sovereignty of member states.
“The Georgian Government has repeatedly demonstrated its trust in the OSCE and its institutions. A clear example of this is the invitation extended to the OSCE/ODIHR to observe last year’s parliamentary elections, and the Government’s full support for the mission’s activities. We value the recommendations provided by ODIHR and are ready to engage in constructive cooperation toward their implementation” - said the Minister.
In conclusion, Maka Botchorishvili expressed her appreciation to the Secretary General for visiting Georgia and reaffirmed the country’s gratitude for the OSCE’s ongoing support and active cooperation.
For his part, the OSCE Secretary General emphasized that the purpose of his visit was to reaffirm the Organization’s support not only for Georgia but also for the wider region. “We highly value our longstanding partnership with Georgia. The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), now in its sixteenth year, continues to hold regular meetings in Ergneti and stands as a clear example of how dialogue can yield tangible results for people living in conflict-affected areas. Our joint work with the European Union and the United Nations demonstrates that our effective and multifaceted engagement contributes significantly to mediation efforts,” he stated.
The Secretary General also noted, “Today I will visit Odzisi to assess firsthand the continuing impact of the conflict. Our engagement is, and will remain, driven by the needs of people on the ground. Stability in Georgia is of vital importance - not only for the people of Georgia, but also for the security and stability of the entire region.”
He further highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the OSCE and Georgia, emphasizing the Organization’s commitment to supporting the country in addressing both internal and external challenges. “I would like to once again underscore that we are here to assist Georgia in overcoming these challenges. I assure the Government of Georgia that our Organization will continue to provide expertise and support. I thank Georgia for its commitment to the principles of the OSCE,” the Secretary General concluded.
