Geneva International Discussions feature Abkhazia and Tskhinvali
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Security issues and humanitarian situation in Russian occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) were discussed at the Geneva International Discussions on March 28-29.
Since the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008, the Geneva International Discussions have been the only format of dialogue between Georgia and Russia.
It is chaired by the OSCE, the EU and the UN. Representatives from Tbilisi, Tskhinvali and Sukhumi, as well as Moscow and Washington take part in the discussions.
Georgian Foreign Ministry says the discussion was focused on all the recent developments in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali concerning the following security issues and the humanitarian situation:
- so-called referendum on changing Tskhinvali region’s name to ‘the Republic of South Ossetia – the State of Alania”;
- integration of the Tskhinvali army into the Russian Armed Forces;
- entrance of additional S-300 missile system from Russia to Abkhazia;
- intensive militarisation and military training in both occupied regions;
- reduction of crossing-points connecting Abkhazia with the rest of Georgia and its heavy burden on the local population;
- division of families and farms with barbed wire fences along the occupation line;
- illegal detention of people for allegedly crossing the occupation line, including women and children;
- necessity to detain Rashid Kanjioghli, sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in absentia for murdering Giga Otkhozoria – a Georgian citizen near the occupation line last year.
While discussing the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali back to their original homes, representatives of Russian Federation and de-facto governments of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali left the discussions.
The next round of Geneva International Discussions will be held on June 20-21.
Developments in the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) were among the issues discussed at the United Nations Security Council’s meeting yesterday.
A Georgian delegation will participate in the Geneva International Discussions on March 28-29 where issues pertaining to the Georgia-Russia conflict will be discussed in depth.
The OSCE Permanent Council denounces so-called parliamentary elections in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia and the decision of the de-facto government of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) to hold a referendum on changing the name of the region and joining the Russian Armed Forces.
Georgia is blaming Russia for its "deliberate affront” to the international community and the peace process.
United States Senators Roger Wicker and Ben Cardin submitted a resolution supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia yesterday.
Head of the NATO liaison office in Georgia William Lahue has condemned the integration of troops of the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) with the Russian Armed Forces.
Yet another Georgian citizen has been illegally detained by Russian-controlled guards near the occupation line separating breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) from the rest of Georgia.
European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) Chair Anna Elzbieta Fotyga released a statement today on latest developments in Russian occupied regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
Locals of the Russian occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) cannot use the crossing-point between the breakaway region and the rest of Georgia for three days.
US Department of State: "Our position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia is clear and consistent. These regions are integral parts of Georgia".
The EU does not recognise the legitimacy of the "presidential elections" and "referendum" planned for tomorrow in Georgia's Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
A total of 327 Georgian citizens have been illegally detained by Russian-controlled guards near the two Russian occupation lines in Georgia in 2016, says the Georgian State Security Service in its annual report.
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.
Dropping the charges against the murderer of a Georgian citizen strengthens the impunity syndrome in occupied Abkhazia, and encourages violence on ethnic grounds, say Georgian authorities.
The Charge d’Affaires of the United States Missions to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Harry Kamian summed up the recent Geneva International Discussions today.
Ethnic discrimination against Georgian nationals living in the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) was in focus of the latest international discussions in Geneva.
Locals of the Russian occupied Georgian region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) cannot use the crossing-point between the breakaway region and the rest of Georgia for a couple of days.
Russia has accused NATO and the United States of creating threats to regional security as they support Georgia upgrade its military capabilities.The Russian Foreign Ministry also reports that concerns regarding the US-built Tbilisi Lugar Lab have not been alleviated.