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• MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN WITH THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL

  On September 18, 2023, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is on a working visit to New York to participate in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

  Thanking President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his personal participation in the global forum, the UN Secretary-General noted the active and proactive position of our country in cooperation with the Community of Nations.

  Welcoming the UN Secretary-General, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated him on the successful start of the 78th session of the General Assembly, expressing confidence that it will make an important contribution to strengthening global peace and security and promoting sustainable development on the planet.

  During the interested exchange of views on the priority areas of bilateral partnership, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan, guided by the principles of positive neutrality, is implementing a foreign policy aimed at ensuring the well-being of the peoples of the region and the whole world.

  As noted, our country unswervingly follows the generally accepted norms of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, which is called upon to act as the main regulatory body in international relations and solutions to problems caused by global challenges. In this regard, multifaceted cooperation with the UN is a strategic priority for Turkmenistan. Our country fully supports the initiatives of the world community, carried out under the auspices of the United Nations and aimed at ensuring peace, security and sustainable development.

  In this regard, the effective nature of Turkmenistan’s long-term interaction with the UN and its specialized structures was emphasized. This fruitful partnership is also embodied in the implementation of constructive initiatives of a regional and global nature put forward by the Turkmen side, in the joint implementation of major projects and programs in various fields.

• Conflict in Georgia: Secretary General’s Consolidated Report says little progress in human rights and humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas

  Strasbourg, 19.04.2023 – Serious concerns persist regarding the human rights situation in the areas affected by the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008, according to a report by Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić presented to the Committee of Ministers and published today.

  The bi-annual report (covering the period November 2022–March 2023) on the conflict in Georgia highlighted that core issues concerning the human rights and humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected areas continue to see little progress. Various restrictions on freedom of movement and access to education and healthcare remain of serious concern, including in terms of their impact on vulnerable groups.

  Against the continuous impediments by the Russian Federation to peaceful conflict resolution, security, and stability in the wider region, the Secretary General welcomed Georgia’s continuous efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation, and their provision of free access to health care, education, and other social benefits for all residents of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as their efforts to address the needs of internally displaced persons.

  During the period under review, operational activities on Confidence-Building Measures were continued. The report, for instance, notes that archive specialists from both sides of the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) continued to work in online format and met in person, for the first time since the Covid-19 public health crisis. Efforts have been initiated to facilitate dialogue between psychologists specialised in war traumas and on the prevention of gender-based violence on both sides of the ABL. The development of further initiatives continues in close co-ordination with the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality.

  Secretary General stressed that continuing her periodic reporting to the Committee of Ministers on the conflict in Georgia will remain a high priority.

  Note for Editors
  Consolidated reports on the conflict in Georgia have been prepared by the Secretary General since 2010, following a Committee of Ministers decision. The current report is based, inter alia, on the results of the fact-finding visit to Tbilisi on 13-14 February 2023. The delegation also had the possibility to observe the situation at the Administrative Boundary Line.

  The current Consolidated report examines, inter alia, the implementation of the European Court’s judgments in the two inter-state cases “Georgia v. Russia (II)”, concerning the armed conflict between Georgia and the Russian Federation in 2008 and its consequences, and "Georgia v. Russia" (I)” concerning arrests, detentions and expulsions from the Russian Federation of Georgian nationals in 2006-2007.

  On 20 April, the European Court of Human Rights is due to deliver a ruling on the inter-state application “Georgia v. Russia (IV)”, lodged by the Government of Georgia in August 2018, which concerns the alleged deterioration of the human rights situation along the administrative boundary lines between Georgian-controlled territory and Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

• MEETING OF SHALVA PAPUASHVILI WITH THE OSCE CHAIRPERSON, THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF NORTH MACEDONIA

  The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili held a meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani.

  Speaker Papuashvili thanked the North Macedonian politician for the visit and the support that OSCE renders to Georgia in this geopolitically complicated period.

  The Speaker dwelt on the support of Georgia to Ukraine and the Russia-Ukraine war repercussions on the region.

  Mr. Osmani expressed his gratitude for the active engagement of Georgia in the OSCE activity underlining that Georgia is a hub of regional initiatives and the support of diverse diplomacy.

  The parties touched upon the grave situation in the occupied regions of Georgia and affirmed the importance of the uninterruptedness of the Geneva Talks. The progress of Georgia and North Macedonia at the EU integration path has been highlighted. As B. Osmani emphasized, North Macedonia has acquired significant experience at the long EU integration path and is committed to sharing it with Georgia.

  The meeting was attended by MPs Nikoloz Samkharadze, Khatia Tsilosani, Tinatin Bokuchava and Ketevan Turazashvili.

• THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF NORTH MACEDONIA WILL PAY AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO GEORGIA

  On 10 and 11 April 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, will pay an official visit to Georgia in her capacity as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

  Bujar Osman will be hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili. Following the meeting, the foreign ministers of the two countries will make a joint statement for the press.

  Within the framework of the visit, the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili and the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Thea Akhvlediani will hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia. Bujar Osman will be received by the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili.

  As part of his visit to Georgia, the head of the Foreign Ministry of North Macedonia will visit the occupation line and get acquainted with the current situation on the ground.

• TEIMURAZ JANJALIA HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE SENIOR OFFICIAL MEETINGS (SOM) HELD IN BRUSSELS

  The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teimuraz Janjalia participated  in the Senior Official Meetings (SOM) held in Brussels, on 30 March 2023. The meeting was attended by representatives of the European Union External Action Service, the European Commission, the Member States of the European Union and the countries of the Eastern Partnership.

  Within the framework of the meeting, the sides discussed the priorities in order to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership; In this regard, the 2023 work plan of the "Eastern Partnership" was discussed. In addition, the sides spoke about the implementation process of the flagship projects developed within the framework of the Eastern Partnership economic and investment plan.

  In his speech, the deputy minister emphasized the importance of effectively using all formats with the European Union, including the Eastern Partnership, which ensures even greater rapprochement with the European Union. Teimuraz Janjalia paid particular attention to the role of the Eastern Partnership economic and investment plan and the economic and political importance of the implementation of the flagship projects developed for Georgia within the plan. The deputy minister spoke about deepening cooperation with the European Union in the direction of connectivity, energy security and transport, as well as digital infrastructure. In this context, emphasis was placed on the need to fully exploit the potential of the Black Sea and future plans for the development of Black Sea infrastructure connecting the European Union and Georgia. In this context, Teimuraz Janjalia put forth the idea of holding a high-level seminar on connectivity issues in Tbilisi in 2023.

  The deputy minister focused on the importance of strengthening strategic communications and combating disinformation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, as well as deepening cooperation in the field of security.