Co-chairs of the Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia have arrived in the South Ossetian capital. The delegation consists of the European Union co-chairman Philippe Lefort, the UN - Antti Turunen, representatives of the OSCE, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
In addition, for the first time the delegation includes the newly appointed representative of the of the OSCE Swiss mission Angelo Gnaedinger.
In Tskhinval the Co-Chairs met with the delegation of South Ossetia at the Geneva discussions. The head of the delegation, the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of the RSO for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev welcomed the guests in South Ossetia.
"I would like to thank Angelo Gnaedinger that his country has been making a major contribution to peace and security in the region. In 2008, when the situation in South Ossetia was tense down to the limit, we turned to the ambassadors accredited in Georgia with a proposal to come and assist in lifting tension; the ambassador of Switzerland was always attentive to our appeals. He came and expressed willingness to assist in reducing tension,"- said Dzhioev.
He has also noted that the meeting is taking place at a significant time for South Ossetia - November 23 is marked in the Republic as the Day of Courage and National Unity.
"November 23, 1989 Georgian armed groups for the first time attempted to burst into Tskhinval. But thanks to the courage, firmness and unity of our people the situation was defused," - said the envoy.
He has also reminded that Georgia on November 23 was also marking the anniversary of the "Rose Revolution ", when 10 years ago to power in the country came Mikhail Saakashvili.
"Now there is a new government in Georgia, but what has done for his country Saakashvili, I believe, the future generations will have to assess. He managed to inflict immense harm to peace and security in the region, the Georgian- Ossetian relations. But, I think he will be brought to punishment for all his evil deeds, "- said Dzhioev.
He has expressed hope that the new government of Georgia will draw conclusions from what happened and do their utmost for the progress in the Georgian- Ossetian and Georgian- Abkhazian relations.
"We all live in the Caucasus; no one here is going to leave. And the sooner we find the opportunity for good-neighborly relations, the better "- said Dzhioev.
He has added that the participants of the meeting will have to work fruitfully in preparation for the 26 round of the discussions, stressing that their main purpose is still to sign an agreement on the non-use of force.
Then the meeting continued without the participation of the media.
Today the Co-Chairs plan to visit the border village of Mugut in Znaur district of South Ossetia.
