Security issues and the situation in the area of the South Ossetian village of Uista, where a few years ago Georgian policemen had set up an illegal post, became the topic of discussion at the 105th meeting in the format of Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms, said the head of the South Ossetian delegation, Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary for Post-Conflict settlement Egor Kochiev.
After the meeting within the framework of the IPRM, the head of the South Ossetian delegation told the South Ossetian media representatives about the issues raised during the negotiations and named the main topic on the agenda - the destabilization of the situation caused by the setting up of the illegal Georgian police post in South Ossetia near the village of Uista (Tsnelis).
“The post is a factor of destabilization and tension. Local residents are afraid to walk around the village, as the road is visible from the post. We once again pointed out to the Georgian party that the main factor for stabilizing the situation in this district, and in the region as a whole, is the removal of the illegal checkpoint and the withdrawal of all armed forces of Georgia,” Kochiev said.
The Deputy Plenipotentiary has added that the Georgian party does not give a clear answer to all the questions of the South Ossetian party, arguing that the policemen do not threaten anyone. To which, according to him, the South Ossetian delegation has emphasized that from the post to the village of Uista there are no more than 300 meters, and to the Georgian village of Chorchana - more than three kilometers.
“We have offered a number of proposals to stabilize the situation. In particular, after the withdrawal of the post, South Ossetia could open the state border crossing points in the Razdakhæn area, the head of the South Ossetian delegation said.
During the dialogue, the IPRM participants discussed issues related to incidents on both sides of the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia, with flights of unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Issues with violations of the state border were discussed separately. We are seriously concerned about violations of the border, thar occur either under the control of the Georgian police, or with the participation of representatives of the Georgian law enforcement agencies themselves. They allow themselves to violate the border line, approach information marks and banners, and take pictures of the barriers. As a rule, they try to stay in the South Ossetian territory for a very short time and return to the territory of Georgia,” he stressed.
According to Yegor Kochiev, the South Ossetian representatives drew the attention of the dialogue participants to all these points. He expressed hope that common sense would prevail and Georgian citizens and police would stop violating the border of the Republic of South Ossetia.
“All violations are always related to detentions, and when there is a threat, criminal cases are initiated and people fall under criminal prosecution in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of South Ossetia,” the Deputy Plenipotentiary has noted.
The next meeting in the IPRM format will take place on 12 April.
