A meeting between Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Republic of South Ossetia on post conflict resolution, Mr. Murat Dzioev, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Sanakoev and the co-chairs of the International Geneva Discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia: EU Special Representative in South Caucasus and Georgia Mr. Philippe Lefort, UN Representative Mr. Antti Turunen and OSCE Special Representative Andrei Deshitse took place on 25 January 2013.
During the meeting the sides discussed preparation and implementation of the next round of International Geneva Discussions, where the most important issues are traditionally security in Transcaucasia and questions of humanitarian character.
At the meeting the sides discussed different approaches to the format of discussions so that the forthcoming meetings are more effective and productive.
It was underlined again that for South Ossetia the most important result of the meeting would be signing of a legally binding agreement on non-use of force rather than the issues of security in the region.
During the meeting was also discussed the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in the area of the border between South-Ossetia and Georgia, was underlined the importance of adequate response to the incidents. The South Ossetian side stressed and paid special attention to the fate of the missing persons as well as citizens of South Ossetia illegally convicted by the courts of Georgia for political reasons. Mr. Dzioev, Head of South Ossetian delegation, expressed his regrets about that fact that among the hundreds amnestied political prisoners, there are no citizens of Republic of South Ossetia.
The next round of the International Geneva Discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia will take place on 26-27 March 2013 where South Ossetian delegation is aimed to continue working in a constructive manner.
Tskhinval, 25 January 2013