Results of Georgian-Abkhazian meeting on security matters

We call your attention to the protocol issued by the parties of the quadripartite meeting between Georgian and Abkhazian sides that took place in the Gali district on 19 January 2004.

PROTOCOL OF THE GALI MEETING ON SECURITY MATTERS OF 19 JANUARY 2004

On 19 January 2004, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Heidi Tagliavini, convened in UNOMIG Gali Sector Headquarters a high-level meeting on security matters in Gali, in accordance with the Gali Protocol on Measures to Defuse Tension and Improve Security Mechanisms in the Zone of Conflict of 8 October 2003.

Mr. Malkaz Kakabadze headed the Georgian delegation, and Mr. Sergey Shamba headed the Abkhaz delegation. The CIS-PKF [CIS Peacekeeping Forces] was represented by Lieutenant General Alexander Evteev. UNOMIG Military Observers were represented by the Deputy Chief Military Observer, Colonel Bretislav Mizera.  The meeting was chaired by Ms. Heidi Tagliavini.

The main item on the agenda was the review of the implementation of the Gali Protocol of 8 October 2003. Discussions focused on measures taken to defuse tension in the zone of conflict; ways for improvement of the efficiency of existing security mechanisms; and on topical issues in light of the current situation. In this context, the sides discussed the possibility of a resumption of the work of Working Group I of the Coordinating Council.

Having positively assessed the results of the ad hoc high-level meeting of 8 October, the sides agreed to:

1. Take every measure to ensure the strict observance of the Moscow Ceasefire Agreement of 1994 and refrain from any action, which may destabilize the situation in the zone of conflict and have a negative impact on the peace process;
2. Continue work aimed at the implementation of the Gali Protocol of 8 October 2003 in its entirety;
3. Instruct law enforcement agencies to continue their cooperation and to regularly exchange information, based on concrete evidence;
4. Ensure their meaningful participation in and representation at the Quadripartite meetings and the Joint Fact Finding Group and its Working Group in Gali and fully cooperate with UNOMIG and CIS-PKF in the clarification of incident details and, likewise, of security matters;
5. Discuss proposals made at this meeting, and the implementation of the above measures at the next quadripartite meeting.

Editors note: See also the article "Representatives of Georgian and Abkhazian sides meet in Gali district of Abkhazia".