Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote dialogue between the Georgian government and Abkhazia; and if he will make a statement.

The UK continues to encourage all parties to the conflicts in Georgia, including Russia, to work constructively towards a long-term settlement. We hold frequent discussions with the Georgian Government encouraging them to engage with the breakaway regions and with international processes including the Geneva International Talks, the only forum at present where all parties to the conflict meet. We also engage with the EU and other international partners to explore how dialogue between Georgia and its breakaway regions could be promoted. The UK-Georgia Dialogue in London in late November will provide a further opportunity to discuss Georgia’s approach to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The UK plays a leading role in funding projects aimed at improving engagement and dialogue across the conflict divide. For the 2014/15 financial year, the UK is funding over £1.2 million of projects in Georgia from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development Conflict Pool focused on this issue.