67th Geneva Round Concludes with Renewed Calls for Non Use of Force Agreement
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SUKHUM / AQW'A — The 67th round of the International Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus has concluded in Geneva, with participants discussing regional security, humanitarian issues and the possible resumption of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Gal.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, the first day of the talks opened with an information session devoted to the experience of Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms in different countries. The Abkhaz delegation also held separate meetings with the co chairs of the discussions.
During the second day of meetings, participants reviewed all items on the agenda. One of the central issues was the current security situation in the region. Representatives of all delegations agreed that the situation remains relatively stable.
In the first working group, which focuses on security matters, the sides once again stressed the importance of concluding a legally binding agreement not to use force. They also discussed issues relating to the delimitation and demarcation of the borders between Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the one hand, and Georgia on the other.
Particular attention was given to the prospects for resuming the work of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Gal. All participants confirmed their interest in restoring its activities. However, the lack of agreement on technical aspects of organising the meetings continues to prevent practical progress.
During the meeting, the delegations of Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia proposed moving the venue of the International Discussions from Switzerland to another country while preserving the existing negotiation format. They argued that Switzerland no longer meets the criterion of a neutral state.
In the second working group, discussions traditionally focused on humanitarian issues, including freedom of movement, crossing the state border between Abkhazia and Georgia, livelihoods, education, healthcare and the search for missing persons.
The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry said that despite what it described as repeated attempts by Georgian participants to politicise several agenda items, the sides were able to hold substantive discussions on all of these issues.
Representatives of the Abkhaz delegation again underlined the importance of protecting the rights of citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia to freedom of movement and external mobility.
A separate discussion was held on education. The Abkhaz participants briefed the co chairs and other delegations on the situation in the education sector in the Gal district and provided the necessary statistical data. They rejected accusations from members of the Georgian delegation that the Abkhaz authorities pursue a discriminatory policy towards local pupils.
On the fourth agenda item of the second working group, the position of the Abkhaz, South Ossetian and Russian sides remained unchanged. Together with the allied delegations, the Abkhaz side did not take part in the discussion on refugees.
The 68th round of the International Discussions is scheduled for November 2026.