The European Union expressed regret over the lack of substantive progress on core issues at the 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), held on 30 June – 1 July 2026, according to a statement delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council on 9 July 2026. The EU reiterated its call for a clear non-use of force statement by all GID participants, including Russia, and the establishment of a verification mechanism, noting that Georgia has already undertaken such a commitment. The statement also condemned Russia's continued illegal military presence in Georgia, including the transformation of the Ochamchire port into a military foothold for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and the de facto integration of the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia into Russia's regulatory and security space.
The EU welcomed the smooth operation of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) but called for the immediate resumption of the IPRM in Gali without preconditions. It expressed serious concern over enduring human rights violations in the occupied regions, including ongoing 'borderisation' activities, restrictions on civilian movement across administrative boundary lines, and arbitrary detention of Georgian citizens. The EU urged Russia to ensure proper follow-up to the European Court of Human Rights' landmark judgement of 21 January 2021 in the case of Georgia vs Russia. The statement also noted that discussion on internally displaced persons and refugees was again not possible due to a walkout by Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetian participants, a practice the EU said must stop.
The EU reaffirmed its unwavering support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and for the continued activities of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM), the only legitimate international monitoring presence on the ground. However, it expressed concern over the worsening political and human rights situation in Georgia, stressing that progress on democratic reforms, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental freedoms remain essential for advancing on the European path. The statement was aligned with by Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.