Concerning the results of the 32nd round of the Geneva International Discussions
3Regular round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on June, 30 – July 1, 2015 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 discussions were held in two working groups: on security and humanitarian issues. According to Medvedev-Sarkozy's agreements the main attention in the working group on security was paid to the problem of non-use of force by Georgia against South Ossetia and Abkhazia and security and stability maintaining in the region. South Ossetia delegation called once again for boosting work on legally binding bilateral agreement on non-use of force which would have firm international warranties. Expert work on the writing of a joint statement of all participants of the discussions on commitment to principle of non-use of force was continued.
South Ossetia participants shut door on the attempts made by Georgian delegation to coordinate discussion of security issues with South Ossetia-Russian relations, having emphasized that they (relations) are developed in accordance with international legislation and correspond to issues of security and peace in the region.
Absence of serious incidents and relative stability about South Ossetia-Georgian frontier were noted by the participants while discussing issues of stability and security in the region. At the same time the destabilizing activity of Georgian party in damaging border markers set up by the Ossetians, facts of border violating, increasing informational tension on problems of border and entry points were noted. Ossetian representatives reminded once again of the proposal made by the Republic authorities 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.
Ossetian and Abkhazian representatives expressed concern about the new steps made by Georgia in framework of establishing closer relations with NATO and creating infrastructural objects of the block on territory of the country. Definitely such policy alongside with the persistent unwillingness of Georgian authorities to sign documents on non-use of force as well as persistent claims for territories of sovereign Republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia causes concern.
As an absolutely destructive, biased and tendentious step was the report on “violations” of human rights in South Ossetia and Abkhazia presented by Georgia in OSCE taken. It is obvious that this provocative political act was made with purpose to misrepresent facts about the two states and try to isolate them from the international community.
As Georgia had dragged once again its draft resolution on refugees through the UN General Assembly, South Ossetia and Abkhazian representatives considered impossible taking part in the discussion on this problem hold in Geneva. According to the joint statement made by South Ossetian and Abkhazian delegations, renewal of negotiations on this subject would become possible when Georgia gives up turning artificially the problem into a political issue.
South Ossetian and Abkhazian participants pointed out the absolutely unacceptable activity led by Georgia and its European partners who took all measures to prevent South Ossetia and Abkhazia soccer teams from participating in ConIFA European Football Cup held in Hungary.
Detailed conversation on humanitarian issues among which the issue of clarification destiny of the missing people and South Ossetia citizens who had been illegally condemned in Georgia took an important place. South Ossetia delegation reminded once again of the proposal made by President Tibilov to consider the possibility of mutual jail release of the imprisoned South Ossetia and Georgia citizens and received assurances that Georgian authorities would treat the process of missing persons destiny clarification responsibly.
South Ossetia participants raised once again the problem of returning cultural property from Georgia. They presented materials about the unique icon (the Okoni triptych) that had been stolen from South Ossetia museum and currently is in Georgia.
Upon the discussions the round was shortly summed up.
The next meeting in Geneva is scheduled for October, 2015.
July 2, 2015, Geneva