On 1 July 2009, the 6th round of talks on security and stability in the South Caucasus was held in Geneva. The discussions are held in accordance with the Medvedev-Sarkozy agreements and are aimed at elaborating measures to ensure stability in the South Caucasus and security in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The discussions were held in two working groups. Taking into consideration the remaining tension in the region and the security threats, the South Ossetian Delegation suggested discussing the complex of measures to ensure security of South Ossetia and prevent a new aggression by Georgia. During the discussion, an agreement was reached on the necessity to elaborate measures to build confidence between the sides and conclude agreements between South Ossetia and Georgia and Abkhazia and Georgia on non-use of force. Concerns over the continuing militarization of Georgia with the support of the USA and other states were expressed.
The delegations of South Ossetia and Russia circulated draft agreements on non-use of force and normalization of relations between the Republic of South Ossetia and Georgia. An agreement has been reached that the Geneva talks facilitators, based on the draft agreements of the South Ossetian and Russian delegations, will elaborate a summarized proposal for further discussion at the 7th meeting in Geneva.
Issues related to obstacles hindering the implementation of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism agreements were discussed. The South Ossetian delegation circulated a press-release and video material proving the fact of three South Ossetians having been abducted by the Goerigan special services on 13 October 2008. The South Ossetian delegation, taking into account the absence of consensus on the OSCE presence in the region, raised the issue on the modalities of the OSCE participation in the Geneva process.
Within the frames of the working group dealing with humanitarian issues, the South Ossetian side once again demanded that the problem of the Osseitan refugees and displaced persons, victims of ethnic cleansing in Georgia in 1989-1992 was included into the agenda. This demand found understanding among the Co-Chairs.
Other humanitarian issues were also under discussion, in particular, those of electricity and gas supply to Leningor district and rehabilitation of potable and irrigation water pipelines.
The next 7th round of the Geneva discussions has been scheduled for 17 September 2009.
