On October 26, 2023, a Georgian-language Facebook user disseminated the claim that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signed the “Internationally Recognized Territorial Integrity of Georgia” during the 3+3 format.
The disseminated information is false. Russia recognizes the so-called independence of the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and Sergey Lavrov did not support the territorial integrity of Georgia within the internationally recognized borders. Georgia does not participate in the 3+3 format and has not attended any of its meetings.
What does the document state?
The member states of the 3+3 have signed a document, which states that:
- “Taking into account the importance of developing friendly relations between countries based on mutual interests and good neighborliness, they emphasized in this regard the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders, non-interference in internal affairs, prohibition on the threat or use of force and respect for human rights based on all the principles of the United Nations Charter.
- While expressing their views on various international issues, they discussed the most significant issues in the region and emphasized the importance of platforms like the Consultative Regional Platform “3+3” in providing opportunities for constructive dialogue and establishing mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries of the region that have the primary role in this regard.
- Highlighted the positive impact of the economic cooperation on strengthening mutual trust, the well-being of nations and the stability of the region.
- Emphasizing the importance of cultural cooperation, people-to-people contacts and joint projects in the field of education, science, tourism, culture and sports.
- In order to enhance lasting peace and economic development of the region, they will strengthen bilateral and multilateral consultation and interaction.
- Welcoming the ongoing processes of normalization and development of relations between all the countries of the region.
- While positively evaluating the results of this meeting, they reaffirmed the openness of this Platform for equal participation of Georgia.
- The Ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Gaza. They emphasized the need for immediate termination of targeting innocent civilians.
- The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Türkiye and the Russian Federation thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the good reception and successful holding of this meeting.”
Nowhere in the document is it stated that Sergey Lavrov supported the territorial integrity of Georgia within internationally recognized borders. In addition, no open source confirms that the ministers of foreign affairs of the countries discussed the issue of Georgian borders at the meeting.
Not to mention, the “Territorial integrity of Georgia” could not be signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country that occupies the territories of Georgia. Russia recognizes the so-called independence of the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and Russian leaders hold meetings with their so-called presidents. For example, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, last met with the so-called President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania on October 4, 2023. Putin congratulated Bzhania on the 15th anniversary of the recognition of Abkhazia’s independence by Russia and the 30th anniversary of the victory in the Georgia-Abkhazia war. Apart from Russia, the independence of the occupied territories of Georgia is recognized by Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Nauru.
The first paragraph published after the meeting talks about the importance of peace in the region, respect for sovereignty, and protection of human rights according to the UN Charter, which is an international document defining the goals and principles of the UN. When reading the statement, it is important to take into account the context in which the 3+3 meeting was held: – in September, hostilities between the forces of Azerbaijan and Armenia began in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was followed by the announcement of capitulation by the authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The so-called republic will cease to exist on January 1, 2024. The population of the region, which consists mainly of ethnic Armenians, began to leave their homes.
3+3 Format
The idea of creating a 3+3 format belongs to the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In 2020, after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he spoke for the first time about the need for the joint cooperation of 6 countries – Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Georgia, and Iran – to ensure peace in the region and repeated the idea in 2021. Georgia refused to participate in the platform meetings from the beginning. The first meeting of the 5 countries was held on December 10, 2021, in Moscow. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia once again mentioned before the meeting that they did not intend to participate in the format.
Despite Georgia’s refusal to participate, the Georgian flag was raised at the meeting held on December 10, 2021.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia stated that it was unacceptable to raise the flag of Georgia at the meeting and they had to respond through appropriate diplomatic measures.
The second meeting of the 3+3 format was held on October 23, 2023, in Tehran. Before the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, said that Georgia might soon join the format and explained his assumptions with the “national interests” of the country’s current government. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran also expressed hope for the participation of Georgia in the meetings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again reiterated that “Georgia is not participating in the mentioned meeting and has never done so”.
About the Source
Facebook user Kaxa Buzariashvili systematically disseminates anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western content. Some of the posts published by the user have been flagged as false information.
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