Georgian Dream Foreign Affairs Minister Maka Botchorishvili participated in the Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, held in Toronto, Canada, on September 28-29, and held several bilateral meetings with Canadian officials on the sidelines of the conference.
The conference, co-hosted by Canada, Ukraine and Norway, brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives to strengthen international efforts to bring Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war home, protect those remaining under Russian control, and ensure access to rehabilitation and reintegration services for those who return.
On September 29, Botchorishvili held several meetings, including with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the meeting with Anand focused on “key areas of bilateral relations between Georgia and Canada,” with particular attention to “Black Sea security issues and the situation in the region.”
The two officials also discussed prospects for strengthening trade and economic ties, while taking into account “Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor and Canada’s trade diversification policy.”
Botchorishvili also met with Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.
According to the Georgian MFA, the meeting addressed “cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries and the important role of the parliamentary dimension in further strengthening bilateral relations,” with particular attention to “prospects for deepening political and trade and economic cooperation.”
Conference on Ukrainian Children, Citizens, PoWs
Addressing the conference, Botchorishvili highlighted the severe humanitarian consequences of the ongoing war against Ukraine, noting that its impact extends beyond the battlefield and requires attention from the international community, according to the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
“The war against Ukraine continues to cause immense suffering to civilians, with consequences extending far beyond the battlefield. The situation of Ukrainian children, detained civilians, and prisoners of war requires our continued and collective attention,” the ministry quoted Botchorishvili as saying.
Botchorishvili also spoke about Georgia’s “own experience,” noting that the consequences of occupation and conflict are “all too familiar to Georgia,” the MFA said.
“Our own experience of conflict and occupation has shown us the long-term humanitarian consequences of war. Russia’s ongoing occupation of Georgia’s two regions has left hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes, while denying them the fundamental right to return safely, voluntarily, and with dignity,” Botchorishvili said, according to the MFA.
“We know the pain of displacement, separation from families, and communities torn apart.”
Botchorishvili reaffirmed Georgia’s unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, saying that “Georgia will continue to stand firmly with the Ukrainian people, in support of international law, human dignity, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
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