Concerning the results of the 30th round of the Geneva International Discussions
Regular round of the Geneva International Discussions where missions from South Ossetia (headed by Murat Dzhioev, the Plenipotentiary of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia on post-conflict settlement), Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the USA and representatives of the EU, the UN and the OSCE was held on December 9-10, 2014 in Geneva.
Increased focus during the discussions that are regularly carried out upon Medvedev-Sarkozy's agreements dated August, 12 and September 8, 2008, was on providing guarantees of non-use of force against South Ossetia and Abkhazia and maintaining security and stability in the region. South Ossetian party called once again for boosting the work on bilateral South Ossetia-Georgia, Abkhazia-Georgia agreements on non-use of force, which would be legally binding and have firm international warranties.
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 as the main objective of the Geneva International Discussions is preparing legally binding agreements that can provide security for South Ossetia and Abkhazia people. However, the Georgian party, referring to the factors which are not related to the Geneva process, abstained from passing opinion on the matter. Earlier the draft statement had been delivered by Russian delegation but the expert groups coordinating the writing didn’t come to an agreement on it during the meeting
Relative stability about Ossetian-Georgian border and absence of serious incidents were marked within discussion of security issues. The statistics shows a significant decrease in number of violations about the border and a care taken by South Ossetia authorities of those who live near the frontier. On the other hand, the destabilizing activity of Georgian party in increasing informational tension on problems of border and entry points was noted. 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 productivity of regular meetings organized upon IPRM.
At the same time concern about the new steps made by Georgia in framework of establishing closer relations with NATO and the proceeding policy of making aggressive statements regards South Ossetia and Abkhazia led by Georgian officials was expressed by Ossetian and Abkhazian parties.
As an essential part of a detailed discussion on humanitarian issues the problem of the missing people destiny ascertainment was talked over. As a result representatives of international organizations assured they would assist in solving the problem. Terms of collaboration on a joint document on the missing people destiny ascertainment were agreed.
South Ossetian representatives repeated the offer made to Georgian party on mutual jail release, having reminded that as the act of a good will the authorities of South Ossetia had pardoned a Georgian citizen and are ready to proceed leading this humane campaign on a mutual basis as it can promote establishing mutual confidence.
According to the declaration made by South Ossetia party, renewal of negotiations on subject of refugees would become possible when Georgia gives up turning artificially the problem into a political issue.
Informational session where international experts reported on the best practices of international interaction in extreme cases was also organized within the 30th round the Discussions.
A joint meeting of two working groups summed the round up.
The next meeting in Geneva is scheduled for March, 2015.
December 11, 2014, Geneva