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Georgia: stabilisation and normalisation

At its meeting on 13 October, the General Affairs and External Relations Council noted with satisfaction the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the zones adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The withdrawal was completed on 8 October, before the deadline of 10 October laid down in the agreements of 12 August and 8 September.

Since 1 October, observers from the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) have been deployed in Georgia alongside the international mechanisms of UNOMIG (United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia) and the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe). Their objective is to ensure security and contribute towards stability in the country. More than 200 observers are stationed in Georgia at present, and this number will eventually rise to 352.

The Council reaffirms the willingness of the European Union to take an active part in the international discussions which are set to commence in Geneva on 15 October under the auspices of the EU, the UN and the OSCE. These discussions must focus on all the remaining problems, in particular that concerning arrangements for stability and security in the region and the urgent question of displaced persons, including the question of the upper Kodori valley and the Akhalgori region.

The Council thanks the Commission for convening an international conference of donors with the aim, in particular, of assisting displaced persons and restarting the Georgian economy. To strengthen relations between the European Union and Georgia, the Council is preparing to begin negotiations with Georgia in the near future on visa facilitation and readmission.

For more information, please see:

Council press release (pdf)

Retransmission of the Council press conference

Forthcoming events

European Council, 15 and 16 October in Brussels

Environment Council, 20 October in Luxembourg