“This year carries profound meaning for the OSCE. Fifty years have passed since the Helsinki Final Act was adopted, and this anniversary reminds us that the principles agreed upon half a century ago—sovereignty, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for human rights—remain vital to the peace, stability, and dignity of millions of people,” Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said at the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council.
According to the Minister, these principles are especially meaningful for Georgia.
“For Georgia, these principles are not theoretical. They speak directly to the core security challenges my country continues to face. Twenty percent of Georgia’s sovereign territory remains under occupation due to Russia’s ongoing military presence in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. The consequences of this occupation are severe: ethnic cleansing, brutal violations of fundamental human rights, tragic cases of torture and murder, and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons who have lived for decades with the hope of returning home. Hybrid warfare and steps toward annexation cannot and should not be ignored by the international community. Russia’s responsibility for the occupation and the human rights violations on the ground has been confirmed by international courts, including the European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court. Yet Russia continues to disregard its obligations. The EU-mediated 2008 Ceasefire Agreement remains unimplemented, and the EU Monitoring Mission has still not been allowed to fully carry out its mandate or access the occupied regions. Georgia’s objective is the peaceful resolution of conflict and restoration of its territorial integrity. The Geneva International Discussions remain an important mechanism toward that end,” Botchorishvili noted.
The Minister stressed that Georgia’s peace policy rests on two pillars: de-occupation and reconciliation of communities divided by occupation lines.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners in defending Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is of the utmost importance that the peaceful resolution of the Russia–Georgia conflict remains among the top priorities on the agenda of the OSCE and other international organizations. In this regard, we welcome the upcoming Swiss Chairmanship of the OSCE and look forward to the visit of the Chairperson-in-Office to Georgia early next year.
Excellences, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further amplified the threats and vulnerabilities Georgia faces, especially as my country continues to stand without any collective security umbrella. In this context, stability becomes critically important for safeguarding our security. We are deeply concerned about orchestrated disinformation campaigns and coordinated actions of certain actors directed against Georgia’s democratic institutions and processes. These malign efforts are designed to undermine public trust, polarize society, and weaken the foundations of the state. It is regrettable that we increasingly witness attempts to misuse international organizations and institutions for such purposes, undermining their credibility and public trust. Furthermore, encouraging radicalization within the country cannot and will not contribute to regional security,” she said.
The Minister emphasized that Georgia is working to strengthen stability by enhancing the resilience and protection of its democratic institutions against hybrid threats, disinformation, and any attempts to undermine the country’s sovereignty.
“Georgia remains firmly committed to strengthening stability by defending its democratic institutions and building resilience against hybrid threats, disinformation, and any attempts to undermine our sovereignty. We believe that safeguarding democratic governance and resilience is a prerequisite for security and prosperity, not only for Georgia but across Europe as a whole.
Dear colleagues, let me also take this opportunity to welcome the historic peace agreement on the “Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia”, reached in Washington under the auspices of the President of the United States. This landmark accord constitutes a pivotal milestone toward securing lasting peace in the South Caucasus and provides a solid foundation for new opportunities for the region’s long-term stability.
Georgia remains steadfast in advancing peace and regional cooperation and stands ready to work with all partners to uphold international law, defend sovereignty, and secure lasting peace across the South Caucasus and the OSCE region,” Botchorishvili concluded.
