In addition to the OSCE Chairmanship, Switzerland has already for many years been performing the role of mediator in Russia-Georgia relations. Accordingly, the coincidence of these two duties acquires particular significance for Switzerland with regard to our country. Proceeding from the consequences of the Russia-Georgia conflict, for Georgia the search for peaceful ways to resolve the conflict and the use of every possible instrument for this purpose remain relevant, – this statement was made by Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Bochorishvili after the meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis.

Maka Bochorishvili noted that the format of the Geneva International Discussions remains the only framework that gives us the possibility of dialogue on the issue of main national importance for our country – the occupation of two regions of Georgia by Russia and its severe consequences. According to her, for Georgia the continuation of work in this format and the involvement of international partners in it is important.

“Mr Cassis will today have the opportunity to visit the occupation line himself and to see on the ground the daily security challenges.

Georgia firmly continues the policy of peaceful settlement of the conflict, which on the one hand implies the de-occupation of the territories occupied by Russia, and on the other hand – the restoration of trust and reconciliation among the population affected by the conflict.

The achievement of sustainable peace and stability in our region, taking into account the current geopolitical context, becomes even more relevant and important.

In this given situation, for Georgia the protection of sovereignty and the taking of decisions based on its own national interests is the only way to maintain peace in our country,” – noted Maka Bochorishvili.

According to her, it is precisely the result of this policy that today Georgia manages to maintain stability, dynamic economic development and to perform an important function in the region.

“Within the framework of the OSCE, the economic dimension is also an important direction, in which connectivity occupies a special place and Georgia’s role in this regard is of the utmost importance.

We spoke about the strengthening of cooperation in this direction and about the growing possibilities of the economic dimension as one of the important components of security.

We also touched upon the importance of the proper functioning of the OSCE institutions and the challenges that accompany attempts at the instrumentalization of the organization.

Georgia is a constructive and responsible participating state of the OSCE, which is committed to the principles of the organization and respects the organization and its institutions.

Today we fully realize the challenges that accompany the implementation of multilateral diplomacy and once again express readiness, through relations based on mutual respect, to make our contribution to the protection of those principles and norms that underlie the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe,” – noted Maka Bochorishvili.

For information: Switzerland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ignazio Cassis, is visiting Georgia. Ignazio Cassis had already been in Armenia and arrived in Georgia from Yerevan.

According to information released by the Swiss government, these two visits constitute the second part of Ignazio Cassis’s regional visit program; the first part of the program was carried out on 3–5 August in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.