Concerning the results of the 29th round of the Geneva International Discussions
Regular round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on October 7-8, 2014 in Geneva. Official mission from South Ossetia, headed by Murat Dzhioev, the Plenipotentiary of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia on post-conflict settlement, missions from Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the USA as well as representatives of the EU, the UN and OSCE took part in negotiations.
The key subjects of the discussions that are regularly carried out upon Medvedev-Sarkozy's agreements dated August, 12 and September 8, 2008, were the problem of non-use of force by Georgia against South Ossetia and Abkhazia and the problem of maintaining security and stability in the region. South Ossetian party emphasized the major task of the Geneva International Discussions is security problems solution, thus the matter of principle for the party is stimulating the work on a legally binding bilateral agreement on non-use of force which would have firm international warranties.
Upon having given an assessment to earlier taken steps in developing legally binding agreements, South Ossetian delegation urged once again other participants of the discussions to admit a joint statement on a commitment of all parties to the principle of non-use of force. Earlier the draft statement had been delivered by Russian delegation, but due to nonconstructivity of Georgian delegation it wasn't passed during several rounds. Representatives of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia refused mentioning in the reference on the results of the conducted work on non-use of force which was prepared by co-moderators of the discussions some disreputable characters that do not have any relation to solving the discussed problems. Assurances in taking into consideration the stated position, eliminating the misunderstanding and activating during the following round the work on a problem of non-use of force were received.
Relative stability that recently has established about Ossetian-Georgian and Abkhazian-Georgian borders and is characterized by absence of serious incidents was marked on the discussion, as a considerable decrease in number of violations about the borders was confirmed by given statistics. On the other hand, the destabilizing activity of Georgian party in increasing informational tension in framework of the activity conducted by the authorities of the Republic of South Ossetia in delimitating Ossetian-Georgian border that causes some problems with borders and entry points as well as speculation on the interests of those who live near the frontier. Ossetian representatives reminded once again of the proposal made to Georgia on getting to collaboration on the frontier delimitation.
The participants of the discussions noted the importance and productivity of regularly held meetings around Ossetian-Georgian border as well as “the hot line” organized upon IPRM. However as Ossetian and Abkhazian parties emphasized, harmonization of Georgia with NATO and aggressive statements made by Georgian representatives at various international platforms are of concern for South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The document containing special “recommendations” on how the objectives of the Geneva International Discussions should be achieved, that had been accepted at the Newport Summit hold by NATO, was defined as absolutely unacceptable intervention into the Geneva process.
As part of general discussion on security and humanitarian issues the problem of missing people search was talked over. Representatives of South Ossetia reminded that materials confirming responsibility of Georgian authorities for clearing up the destiny of missing citizens of South Ossetia had been presented earlier. Despite the promises and assurances given by Georgian party and co-moderators about the readiness to assist in search of the missing people, Georgian leaders in fact sabotage this work.
South Ossetian representatives repeated the offer made to Georgian party on mutual jail release, having reminded that as the act of good will the authorities of South Ossetia pardoned a Georgian citizen as well as extradited to Georgia its another citizen who was wanted for the committed crimes and was trying to abscond in the Republic of South Ossetia. Other humanitarian issues were discussed as well.
Refugee question wasn’t on the agenda of the round. Supposedly, the parties wouldn’t return to this subject until Georgia gives up turning the problem into a political issue.
A joint meeting of two working groups ended the round.
The next meeting in Geneva is scheduled for December, 2014.
October 9, 2014, Geneva