EU response to the ‘Coalition for Change’ letter regarding the issue of Syria’s recognition of Georgia’s occupied regions

The 'Coalition for Change' addressed a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which it called on the EU to make the revocation of the recognition of Georgia's occupied territories — Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region — one of the main issues during diplomatic relations with the Syrian authorities. Members of the coalition believe that cooperation with the new Syrian government creates an opportunity to change this decision. Formula+3

The response from the European External Action Service (EEAS), which the coalition made public, states that the EU "takes note" of the coalition's views on the importance of raising this issue during contacts with Syria. The letter emphasizes that the EU remains a supporter of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that its policy of non-recognition and engagement regarding the occupied regions remains unchanged. Publika+1

Coalition leader Nika Gvaramia stated at a briefing that the EU's response provides a promise that negotiations with Syria will not be conducted without the issue of withdrawing recognition being raised. At the same time, 'Radio Liberty' notes that in the letter, the EU only "takes note" of the coalition's request. According to Gvaramia, this process is difficult because ethnic Abkhazians living in Syria have a "strong lobby" in the form of the de facto authorities. Formula+1