The work of the Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia should be intensified, stated the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov during the meeting in Tskhinval with the co-chairmen of the discussions.
"First of all, I mean the work on elaboration of the agreement on the non-use of force by Georgia against South Ossetia. The South Ossetian side has been taking an active part in this issue, and we have developed a draft document. It is also very important the joint statement of the co-chairs of the Geneva discussions on the commitment to the peaceful resolution of all issues, "- said the president.
According to him, the efficient work of all participants promotes to ensure security not only in the South Caucasus.
"Stability and security in the Caucasus are important not only for our region. I have been informed that the work in the course of the previous round was fruitful, but did not yield real results. We have analyzed the situation and have come to the conclusion that there are destructive forces that do not want to see progress in this work. The world today is not calm and much depends on the effective work of the Geneva discussions. In South Ossetia hope that the issues being discussed at the talks, will be resolved,"- said Leonid Tibilov.
The Head of State has positively assessed the work as part of Mechanisms to prevent and respond to incidents, whose members regularly meet and discuss current issues.
During the meeting was also discussed the development of the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia. Leonid Tibilov has reminded that South Ossetia repeatedly offered Georgia to set up a joint commission on delimitation and demarcation of the border, "but the Georgian side has evaded this issue."
"We will continue efforts to strengthen our border, it often becomes a matter of speculation for some representatives of Georgia," - said the president.
He has also focused on the fact that so far there are no results to clarify the fate of the citizens of South Ossetia, being kept in Georgian prisons.
"Their parents have more than once appealed to you, but the problem remains unsolved. Earlier, we have decided to release a citizen of Georgia Taymuraz Dzherapov. We have expected that the Georgian authorities will appreciate this step and make appropriate decisions for our citizens. That has not happened and indicates the reluctance of Georgia to work in this direction, "- said Tibilov, stressing that "whoever comes to power in Georgia, the policy will remain the same."
With regard to the plight of refugees, Leonid Tibilov has stressed that Georgia should not submit this question to the UN General Assembly meetings, which are not attended by South Ossetian representatives.
"Georgia is politicizing this issue. We consider mandatory our participation in the discussion of these issues, otherwise any resolution will be biased and unilateral, "- the president said.
The EU Co-Chair of the Geneva discussions Herbert Zalber in turn, has noted that in the Geneva discussions have been participating three major international organizations - the UN, the OSCE and the EU, it shows that this format is of great importance.
"Our countries believe these negotiations should be continued and yield results. I agree that the last rounds were not as successful as we would have expected, political issues complicate the work. But we have to respect the views of all participants in the discussions. This is evidenced by the fact that after the 28 round we decided to visit all countries and meet with the participants in the discussions. Another trip we plan to make in September before the next round, "- said Zalber.
He has assured that the mediators will do everything possible to continue this process. "Whether this region is stable or not, it is important not only in the Caucasus, but throughout the world. Nobody wants a recurrence of what happened in the past, "- said Zalber.
According to the UN co-chair Antti Turunen, the participants of the Geneva discussions for six years have been debating on issues of security and stability, the fate of refugees and prisoners, and now it is time to develop a common understanding of these issues.
"We need the help of experts- both South Ossetian and international, to find concrete application of the decisions that can be achieved within the framework of the Geneva discussions. We appreciate the positions of all participants in the discussions,"- said the co-chair.
He has also noted that UNHCR is working on refugee issues and is ready to continue this work to come to a mutually acceptable solution of this matter.
