Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis visited Georgia on October 16 in his capacity as the chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), holding talks with Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and visiting the occupation line near Tskhinvali/South Ossetia.
Cassis, who arrived in Georgia from his visit in Armenia, said he stressed the importance of “upholding democratic principles and Georgia’s international commitments” during the meeting with Kobakhidze, while talks with Kobakhidze and Botchorishvili also reportedly focused on Swiss-Georgian ties, cooperation within the OSCE, and the OSCE’s and Switzerland’s role in conflict resolution in Georgia.
The visit comes as Georgia seeks to secure the OSCE chairmanship for 2027, despite reported opposition from the EU countries. Ahead of the visit, Botchorishvili said on October 9 that Tbilisi was aware of “a number of” EU member states supporting Georgia’s candidacy, despite reports that the bloc was backing Cyprus.
Botchorishvili said Georgia submitted its first-ever bid for the OSCE chairmanship in January. She campaigned for Georgia’s candidacy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
Joint Press Briefing With Botchorishvili
Following their October 16 meeting, Botchorishvili and Cassis held a joint press briefing, addressing regional security, Georgia’s occupied territories, the OSCE’s role in conflict resolution, and bilateral relations between Georgia and Switzerland.
“The traditional visit of the OSCE chairperson to Georgia is a clear confirmation that support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains an important issue on the OSCE’s agenda,” Botchorishvili said. She also highlighted Switzerland’s “intermediary” role in Georgian-Russian relations for many years, and the role of the Geneva International Discussions as “the only framework” for a dialogue about Russia’s occupation of Georgia’s two regions.
“Georgia firmly continues its policy of peaceful conflict resolution, which, on the one hand, entails the de-occupation of territories occupied by Russia and, on the other, restoring trust and reconciliation among conflict-affected populations,” she said. “In the current circumstances, protecting Georgia’s sovereignty and making decisions based on our own national interests is the only way to preserve peace in our country.”
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“It is precisely as a result of this policy that Georgia is managing to maintain stability and dynamic economic development today, and fulfilling an important role and function in the region,” she added.
Botchorishvili also pointed to the economic dimension of the OSCE’s work, particularly connectivity, and said the two officials had discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation. She also addressed the functioning of OSCE institutions and what she described as attempts to instrumentalize the organization.
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“We also touched on the importance of the proper functioning of OSCE institutions and the challenges that often accompany attempts to instrumentalize the organization,” Botchorishvili said. “Georgia is a constructive and responsible OSCE participating state, committed to the organization’s principles and respectful of the organization and its institutions.”
Botchorishvili concluded by reaffirming Georgia’s commitment to the OSCE’s founding principles and expressing readiness to contribute to their protection, saying “we fully recognize the challenges associated with multilateral diplomacy today and once again express our readiness to contribute, through relations based on mutual respect, to protecting the principles and norms that underpin the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”
Dialogue and trust are key to addressing the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia through the #Geneva International Discussions, co-chaired by the #OSCE26CH.
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) October 16, 2026
Substantive exchange with FM Maka Bochorishvili 🇬🇪 on this process, #Switzerland’s representation of Georgian… pic.twitter.com/WJTyKEXMkx
For his part, Cassis highlighted the longstanding relationship between Switzerland and Georgia, and pointed to economic ties, saying Georgian exports to Switzerland had exceeded USD 100 million, while Swiss exports to Georgia have reached USD 190 million.
“These are not huge figures, but we see enormous potential to build on existing ties and bring our countries even closer together,” Cassis said, according to the Georgian interpretation of his remarks.
He also emphasized mutual trust, citing Switzerland’s role in representing Georgia’s interests in Russia since 2009.
Addressing regional security, Cassis said the situation in the South Caucasus and the “broader challenges” facing the region had been central to the discussions. During the speech, he also stressed the importance of the OSCE as a platform for dialogue among countries with differing positions.
Cassis also reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to peacebuilding, reconciliation and human rights, highlighting the OSCE’s contribution through the Geneva International Discussions.
Meeting with Kobakhidze
Cassis also met with GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, with Botchorishvili, Reconciliation Minister Tea Akhvlediani, and Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani also present at the meeting. The discussions focused on “current issues of cooperation between Georgia and the OSCE, as well as opportunities for further deepening the partnership across various areas,” according to the government press release.
The meeting also addressed “ongoing processes and security challenges in the region,” with Kobakhidze reaffirming the Georgian government’s “firm commitment” to the policy of peaceful conflict resolution, the government press release said. “Attention was additionally drawn to the importance of friendly relations with the Swiss Confederation and prospects for expanding political and economic cooperation.”
Cassis, on his part, wrote on X that the parties discussed “bilateral relations, regional developments and the important role of the OSCE in fostering dialogue and stability,” with the Swiss foreign minister stressing “the importance of upholding democratic principles and Georgia’s international commitments.”
Meeting with Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) October 16, 2026
We discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and the important role of the OSCE in fostering dialogue and stability.
I also stressed the importance of upholding democratic principles and Georgia’s international… pic.twitter.com/xeJVmvka0i
Visit at Occupation Line
As part of his visit, Cassis also visited the occupation line with Tskhinvali/South Ossetia in the village of Odzisi with the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia. He thanked the mission “for its essential work in monitoring the situation on the ground and contributing to security and stability in the region.”
In Odzisi, near the Administrative Boundary Line with @EUMMGeorgia .
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) October 16, 2026
My thanks for its essential work in monitoring the situation on the ground and contributing to security and stability in the region. #OSCE26CH pic.twitter.com/Gak4XqhRgm
Also Read:
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- 13/03/2026 – Tbilisi ‘Vigorously Rejects’ OSCE Findings as Member States Call to Fulfill Recommendations
- 11/03/2026 – OSCE PA Delegation Concludes Visit to Georgia, Notes ‘Absence of Political Dialogue’