Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of South Ossetia on post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev at today's meeting of President Leonid Tibilov with the heads of the law-enforcement agencies informed the head of state of the results of the 23rd round of international discussions on security in Transcaucasia, held in Geneva on March26-27.
According to the envoy, the work, as usual, was carried out by two groups - on security and humanitarian issues.
"The group on security discussed the intermediate statement of the commitment of all parties to the principle of non-use of force. The Georgian delegation, this time headed by Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, said they supported the project. The Georgian party has emphasized that the document may be adopted only after a similar unilateral statement of the Russian party. Thus, they themselves have put an end to this project, "- said the envoy.
He has noted that in response the South Ossetian delegation said that Russia had no relation to the bilateral relations between South Ossetia and Georgia, and offered to continue working on the document.
"Much attention has been paid to the border issues. In particular, international organizations, at the instigation of the Georgian delegation have expressed concern over the fact that we are constructing artificial obstacles on the boundary line - told Dzhioev. - According to them, it hinders the free movement of the local population in border areas. On the other hand, they have stated that violations of the border by the South Ossetian side, in particular, crossing the administrative boundary line (as they call it), forced the Georgian side to place the posts, as in the village of Nikozi. We have responded that there is no reason to say that from the South Ossetian side the young men in camouflage uniforms without insignia were crossing the border near the village of Nikozi and oppressing the local population."
According to Dzhioev, during the meeting the delegation of South Ossetia said that to avoid future similar claims the South Ossetian side was working to strengthen the border.
"For us it's the state border with the neighboring hostile state, so strengthening the border will be conducted in accordance with the legislation of South Ossetia. We are not violating a meter of the Georgian territory; a barbed wire will be extended on our side. The third time I officially declare that by the decree of the South Ossetian President has been established a commission on delimitation and demarcation of the border between South Ossetia and Georgia and I am appealing to the Georgian side to work together ", - said the envoy.
Dzhioev has added, the same questions were discussed on Leningor district and a village of Zardiantkari.
"It was noted that, as soon as socio-economic issues in Leningor district were resolved, the border there would be closed," - said the envoy.
As for the working group on humanitarian issues, the South Ossetian side has immediately rejected the proposal of Georgia to discuss the issues of "cultural heritage."
"The Georgian side links this with visiting cemeteries, holy places in South Ossetia. We have stated that this is the national heritage of the Ossetian people, and we ourselves can ensure their safety. I drew attention to the fact that for a long time, we had been seeking the return of our cultural and historical monument – the Okona triptych. In 2001the Swiss authorities prevented the triptych to be sold at the auction and in 2004 transferred it to the Georgian authorities, "- said Dzhioev.
This time was also held the final meeting of the two groups, but the Georgian delegation did not participated in it. In this regard, the South Ossetian delegation has expressed protest, and all the participants of the meeting have noted such behavior of the Georgian party.
