19 December 2013, 13:35
In Geneva, Georgian party refuses to discuss border delineation issues with South Ossetia
The negotiations on security issues in Southern Caucasus ended on December 18 in Geneva. Georgia refused to discuss the issues of the state border with South Ossetia and sign a joint statement on non-use of force in the region.
During the November meeting, within the consultation on security in Southern Caucasus, the Georgian party put forward particular proposals in the area of humanitarian cooperation, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, the Deputy Minister for Reintegration and the Georgia's representative at the Geneva talks, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
"We talked about the need to provide an opportunity for residents of Abkhazia of an unhindered access to Georgia, so they could receive proper medical care, visit their relatives; and for children from the Gali District could get education in the Georgian language", Ms Tsikhelashvili has explained and added that besides, they have prepared the issue on return of refugees to be discussed in Geneva.
As noted by the political scientist Gela Vasadze, the head of the NGO "Free Zone", the Russia's official position has nothing to do with reality, as Georgia had stated many times that the resumption of diplomatic relations is possible only after Russia has withdrawn its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He added that he saw no prospects in the current format of Geneva discussions.
The main outcome of the current round of discussions is that the negotiations continue, said Konstantin Zatulin, the president of the Institute of CIS Countries. According to his story, the main obstacle to reaching agreements is the difference of the approaches of the parties.
Author: Beslan Kmuzov, Mariya Kotaeva, Semyon Charny Source: CK correspondents
