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25th round of discussions in security in Transcaucasia start in Geneva

Geneva discussions are being held over five years based on the agreement signed by the Russian and French presidents after the August 2008 events in South Ossetia
Photo EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI
Photo EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

GENEVA, November 6 (Itar-Tass) - The 25th round of the Geneva discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia has started under the auspices of the U.N., the EU and the OSCE.

The discussions involve the delegations of Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the U.S. and South Ossetia. The work will be held within the format of working groups on security and humanitarian cooperation.

The previous round did not yield any results. Georgia blocked the dialogue by referring to the absence of a quorum.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said the possibility to stop meetings in such format was becoming real.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported, “The Geneva discussions will focus on restructuring the Geneva meetings and working out mutually acceptable parameters, including the final meeting of the participants.”

The ministry said the consultations “will have special importance to determine further steps of the Geneva process”.

Meanwhile, Tbilisi does not rule any progress at the 25th round of the Geneva discussions. “I can’t predict what results will be yielded. Our delegation is ready for positive moments,” Georgian special envoy for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze said.

Russia considers the signing of the agreements between South Ossetia and Georgia, and Abkhazia and Georgia on the non-use of force one of the priority issues of the agenda, the Foreign Ministry reported.

The Geneva discussions are being held over five years based on the agreement signed by the Russian and French presidents after the August 2008 events in South Ossetia.