Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met Swiss Vice President and Foreign Minister, as well as 2026 OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ignazio Cassis, in New York on September 22.

The meeting bilateral relations and Switzerland’s role in Georgia-Russia relations. Kobakhidze thanked Switzerland for its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and for its policy of non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The two sides also addressed Switzerland’s role as an intermediary between Georgia and Russia in the absence of diplomatic relations.

A planned visit by Cassis to Georgia in October was also discussed. Switzerland holds the OSCE chairmanship in 2026, with Cassis responsible for coordinating the organisation’s work during the year. The October visit would allow Cassis to engage directly with Georgian officials on the country’s security concerns and the OSCE’s role in the region. The Swiss chairmanship has identified dialogue, international law and peaceful conflict resolution among its priorities.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where Kobakhidze also spoke at the Multilateral Partnership Summit organised in New York.

At the summit, Kobakhidze Georgia’s support for international law, multilateral cooperation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He referred to the continued presence of Russian forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and identified de-occupation, reconciliation and confidence-building as part of Georgia’s stated approach to resolving the conflicts.

The prime minister also highlighted regional cooperation, linking closer coordination among South Caucasus countries to trade, transport connectivity and economic development. He welcomed the progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and described stronger regional cooperation as a potential source of new economic opportunities.