The EU co-chair Toivo Klaar described the meeting of the co-chairs of the Geneva discussions on Tuesday in Tskhinval as a productive one. The European diplomat had in mind the issues of the situation on the border and the situation in Tsnelis.
“We discussed specific issues with colleagues, but I would not like to comment on them with reporters,” he said.
Continuing this topic, the OSCE co-chair Rudolf Mikhalka has noted that the meeting was an extraordinary one, as the co-chairs believe that more dialogue will lead to more understanding of each other.
Murat Dzhioyev, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy for Post-Conflict Settlement, believes that the consultations were very important, with a detailed discussion of problematic issues, which will help preparing proposals for creating a security system in the areas adjacent to the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia.
“We were talking about the situation in the village of Tsnelis, where in August last year the Georgian side constructed an illegal post on the territory of South Ossetia, that exacerbated the situation on the whole range of issues considered at the Geneva discussions. The South Ossetian party reiterated that the Georgian illegal post should be removed. As noted by the residents of the village of Chorchana, which is adjacent to the border from the West, it also causes concern, because the police constantly go through their village, which strains local residents. This indicates that the interests of the Georgian authorities do not coincide with the interests of the Georgian population of the area adjacent to the border," the Envoy said.
Dzhioev has noted that there is an understanding with colleagues that the situation in Tsnelis strains the situation as a whole and therefore it is necessary to look for the ways out. “Naturally, representatives of South Ossetia and Georgia have a different understanding of the situation, and each is trying to convey their point of view to the international community. But we are trying to show by concrete examples and facts that our position reflects the true state of things,” said Dzhioev.
There is no humanitarian disaster
According to him, during the dialogue, the co-chairs also spoke about the need to create a security system along the entire perimeter, and for this, first of all, it is necessary to determine the state border line. “We reiterated our proposal that sooner or later we should begin to work together on the designation of the state border line. Questions were also raised regarding residents of the border population, including residents of the Leningor district. We have explained to them that there is no humanitarian catastrophe in Leningor district, and how the Georgian propaganda presents the situation is completely different from the real situation, ”Dzhioev noted. He has added that the South Ossetian party informed the European diplomats about the measures taken by the South Ossetian authorities to facilitate the situation of the Georgian citizens living in Leningor district. In particular, conditions have been created for pensioners, and they can cross the border once every two months to receive pensions.
“The issues of emergency medical care are also being addressed if necessary. All issues are resolved in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of South Ossetia and in the interests of the population living in the territory of South Ossetia. We agreed with our colleagues to continue consultations so that we would come up with concrete proposals for the next round at the end of March,” he stated.
