The fifth round of Geneva discussions on security and stability in South Caucasus has finished. In accordance with the Medvedev-Sarkozy agreements of 12 August and 8 September, delegations of the Republic of South Ossetia, the Republic of Abkhazia, the Russian Federation, Georgia, and representatives of the EU, UN, OSCE and the USA participate on an equal basis.
It was possible to gather a joint session with all parties’ participation once the problems, which had complicated the discussions due to certain intrigues around the UN Secretary General’s Report, were overcome.
The participants to the discussions working in two parallel groups had considered two packages of issues – those related to security and humanitarian problems. The main result of the group dealing with security and stability were the sides’ proposals aimed at ensuring security and non-use of force against South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Georgia.
The Delegation of South Ossetia focused on the numerous facts of Georgia’s violations of security zone regime; the Delegation pointed to the threat for regional security in relation with the Georgian Armed Forces’ – NATO joint exercises. It was stressed that the USA and other sponsors continue providing support in remilitarization of Georgia, re-equipping the Georgian Army and training the Georgian military staff. Georgia’s attack against South Ossetia in August 2008 took place after similar exercises.
The participants agreed on the necessity to continue work within the incident prevention mechanisms, as it was suggested at the first round of Geneva discussions.
A wide range of problems related to security and stability were discussed. Consolidated efforts of American and Georgian representatives to name the discussion of some “police forces with an international mandate” on the territory of South Ossetia and Abkhazia were unanimously rejected practically by all other participants as non-constructive and not corresponding to existing realities.
The Ossetian participants underlined that the issue of presence of any foreign or international forces on the territory of a sovereign state, in this case, on the territory of South Ossetia, is a subject falling under the exclusive competency of this republic’s authorities. Fro instance, the Russian forces contingent in South Ossetia is deployed there upon special inter-state treaties and agreements.
The second working group moderators presented to the participants a series of concept-papers related to refugees and displaced persons, as well as to rehabilitation programs and reconstruction of water and gas supply systems. After an exchange of opinions on the presented proposals, it was agreed that the sides would present their recommendations and suggestions after experts’ evaluation.
The South Ossetian side drew the discussion participants’ attention to the continuing provocative actions of the Georgian authorities retaining to various forms of pressure to force the Georgian-speaking population of Leningor district to flee to Georgia.
It was decided that the next interim meeting to discuss current issues within the frames of Geneva talks will be held early July.
