South Caucasus stability project postponed

The participants in international discussions of security and stability in the South Caucasus that took place in Geneva on the 26th-27th of March have postponed the adoption of a draft declaration of the non-use of force until summer, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

This is due to Georgia’s unpreparedness for expert consideration of the project.

The next meeting in Geneva is scheduled for the end of June.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reports that South Ossetia and Abkhazia stressed the priority of signing binding bilateral agreements with Georgia on guaranteeing security and the unacceptability of Tbilisi’s attempts to shirk this subject.

During the meeting the co-chairmen of the Geneva Discussions Ph. Lefort and other participants in the meeting discussed with Republic of Abkhazia Foreign Minister Mr Chirikba issues connected with the upcoming round of talks in Geneva. “In light of the fact that on the previous occasion we were faced with an unanticipated situation in Geneva, it is essential we conduct a series of consultations in order to bring that round of talks to a successful conclusion. The Geneva process is of great significance to Abkhazia, we have been participating in it for several years, and we intend to continue the dialogue with our colleagues. An effort should be made to exploit the effectiveness of this forum to the maximum degree possible in order to turn the South Caucasus into a region of peace and stability.

It is clear that after a long period of talks there comes a moment when it is necessary to review specific positions and undertake revisions in order to make the work more productive. The Abkhaz side has already put forward its proposals for overcoming the crisis situation and increasing the dynamics of the Geneva process,” the minister said.

The meeting then continued behind closed doors. The sides touched on the problems of ensuring the right of freedom of movement for citizens of Abkhazia, the humanitarian situation in the region, the need to demarcate the Georgian-Abkhaz frontier along the River Ingur, and a whole series of other problems of interest to the participants.