Yet another round of the Geneva International Discussions – the only international format of meetings addressing Georgia-Russia relations – began today, with security issues and the humanitarian situation in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), on the top of the agenda.
The talks traditionally include negotiators from Georgia and Russia as well as representatives from occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), and co-chaired by United Nations (UN), Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and European Union (EU) officials.
A Georgian delegation is in Switzerland today, where the 40th round of the Geneva International Discussions are taking place.
The three issues that keep remaining on the top of agenda are:
Moreover, the Georgian delegation will demand for the immediate detention of Rashid Kanjioghli, sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in absentia for murdering Georgian citizen Giga Otkhozoria near the occupation line last year.
Georgia will also raise the issue of continuous illegal detentions across the occupation line, and will demand the release of detainees. The restrictions that ordinary people are facing along the occupation line, on their own pieces of land, will also be among the talking points.
Since the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008, the Geneva International Discussions have been the only format of dialogue between Georgia and Russia. At the meeting, according to the August 12, 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, issues including non-use of force, creation of international security arrangements in breakaway Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region, and safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees are discussed.
The 40th round of the Geneva International Discussions will end tomorrow.