Geneva International Discussions Meeting on Theme of Women, Peace, and Security

On December 17, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lasha Darsalia, Head of the Georgian delegation at the Geneva International Discussions, met with civil society representatives on the theme "Women, Peace and Security."

Darsalia summarized the past 10 years of the Geneva International Discussions and talked about the situation in Georgia's occupied territories. He emphasized the destructive behavior of the delegation of the Russian Federation during the last round of talks, which, he said, cannot solve the security and humanitarian problems facing the conflict affected population. During the meetings, parties also touched upon discrimination against Georgians in the occupied territories, prohibition of education in their native language, the fencing and slow movement of the occupation line with barbed wire fences and various artificial obstacles further into Georgian territory. The deputy minister said that, due to the unconstructive positions of Russia, tangible progress can not be achieved on the main issues of the agenda, such as non-use of force, creation of international security mechanisms, and internally displaced persons and refugees returning to their homes. Darsalia also highlighted the necessity of full implementation of the August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement by the Russian Federation.

The Geneva International Discussions were launched in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2008, in order to address the consequences of the 2008 august war in Georgia. The decision on the formation of such a format was adopted according to the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement. From that period the Geneva discussions are held four times a year.

Speaking to civil society representatives, special attention was paid to the active involvement of women in the peace talks, as well as working on the needs of conflict affected women within the Geneva format.
 
The meeting was held in the framework of the National Action Plan for the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Women, Security and Peace and served to consider the priorities and needs of women in peace talks. The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality and with the support of UN Women.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia