Pertaining to the results of the 46th round of the Geneva International Discussions
Official delegation of the Republic of South Ossetia, headed by Murat Dzhioev, the Plenipotentiary of the President of the Republic of South Ossetia on post-conflict settlement, delegates from the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation and the USA as well as representatives of the EU, the UN and the OSCE took part in negotiations.
The discussions were held in two working groups: on security and humanitarian issues.
Members of Working group I assessed the security and stability situation in the territories adjusted to the border with Georgia. The overall situation remained relatively stable, with some tensions caused by the on-going propaganda actions conducted by the Georgian side at border in the area of the village of Isakykau.
The South Ossetian delegation stated about its intention to continue designation of the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia and installation of corresponding engineering constructions, and once again called for the Georgian party to get to joint works on delimitation and demarcation of the state border between the Republic of South Ossetia and Georgia.
The South Ossetian party expressed a resolute protest against the unsubstantiated decision of the Georgian authorities on inclusion of several South Ossetian citizens in the wanted list of Interpol.
Discussion on ways of elaborating the wording of a joint statement by all participants on non-use of force was continued. As it was emphasized, the South Ossetian delegation considers this statement as an important and necessary step towards ensuring strong security guarantees for South Ossetia from Georgia and strengthening the existing regional security structure.
Representatives of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia expressed serious concern over NATO enlargement in the territory of Georgia and the increased activity in integrating Georgia with the Alliance. Special alarm is caused by plans for building a military aerodrome in Vaziani and conducting another large-scale multinational military drills in 2019. It was stated that conducting military exercises with participation of NATO countries in close vicinity to the South Ossetian borders is a threat factor for stability and security situation in the region.
The South Ossetian participants emphasized the significance of the activity of the IPRM as an efficient instrument for maintaining stable and foreseeable situation in the region.
As a respond to attempts of Georgian authorities to impose negative image of South Ossetia on the international community and multiply allegations about mythical social economic and humanitarian problems, the South Ossetian representatives in both working groups distributed documentary material about important social and economic developments in South Ossetia, including data on construction of social and education facilities and development of transport infrastructure, which is underway in South Ossetia with the help of the Russian Federation.
Detailed discussion on the humanitarian situation, in framework of which major attention has been drawn to the issue of search of the unaccounted for South Ossetian citizens, was held. It was emphasized that solution of this problem by Georgia could positively affect the atmosphere of the Geneva Discussions.
Once again the South Ossetian delegates drew the most serious attention to the fact that Georgia has seriously been violating human rights of the Ossetians, natives of the Kazbegi region (Tyrsygom), who have been banned from visiting their ancestral villages over years.
The South Ossetian delegates has once again put on table the issue of returning to South Ossetia the unique icon-triptych, which had been stolen from the South Ossetia museum and which for the time being is in Georgia.
Alongside with this the parties exchanged opinion on other humanitarian issues as well.
The problem of refugees wasn’t discussed within the round, as renewal of negotiations on this subject would become possible only if Georgia gives up turning artificially the problem into a political issue.
Information session on the topic “Women, peace and security” was held in anticipation of the round.
The next meeting in Geneva is scheduled for April 2019.
December 13, 2018, Geneva