A session of ongoing international discussions on the South Caucasus region took place in Geneva on October 6-7. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the Republic of South Ossetia, and co-chaired by the UN, OSCE and EU.

The participants agreed that the situation on the regional states’ borders remains stable and fairly predictable. However, some participants expressed concern over the provocations staged by Georgian radicals near the Georgia-South Ossetia border in July, which the Republic of South Ossetia continues to build.

The representatives of Tskhinval notified Tbilisi about the inadmissibility of the Georgian side violating border regulations and the unauthorised dismantling of informational signs located on the territory of the republic. The regular activities of the joint mechanism to prevent and respond to incidents (MPRI) in the border region between South Ossetia and Georgia were praised, as was the effective interaction between the sides via hotlines. The participants expressed support for the ongoing efforts to find missing persons, exchange detainees, and settle border incidents mostly through administrative methods.

The participants also spoke in favour of continuing the search for a compromise settlement of the long-standing problem to resume the MPRI in the Abkhaz border town of Gal.

The delegations of Abkhazia, Russia, and South Ossetia reiterated their growing concern regarding the deepening military cooperation between Georgia and NATO. In particular, the delegations pointed to the destabilising effect on security in the region of the early phase of the practical implementation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, the opening of the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Centre in late August, and the US plans to expand joint military exercises in Georgia, including elements of a rapid response force that includes the prompt delivery of troops and military equipment from Europe. These developments are at odds with Tbilisi’s military-restraint obligations assumed by it in accordance with the August 12, 2008 agreements.

The participants continued to discuss critical issues — in terms of the South Caucasus states’ security — such as the non-use of force, including drafting a joint statement on this issue. The participants reiterated the priority of signing legally binding agreements on the non-use of force between Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia to maintain lasting peace and stability in the region. The Abkhazian and South Ossetian delegations confirmed their willingness to draft and sign such documents, but the Georgian side has blocked this key issue.

Upon the initiative of Sukhum, the participants continued to discuss visa discrimination against the citizens of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on behalf of a number of EU countries and the United States. Western countries were clearly based on double standards in dealing with this issue.

The humanitarian affairs group members exchanged views on important issues of concern for residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In particular, they focused on ensuring the freedom of movement of the citizens of both republics who hold national or Russian passports. The group members discussed the interaction between the Abkhaz, Georgian and South Ossetian sides in protecting architectural landmarks and the environment.

An informational session titled “Protecting Cultural Heritage: Principles and Practical Experience” was held in the run-up to the session. A UNESCO representative spoke about the existing international legal instruments in this area — primarily, the 1954 Hague Convention.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 8-9.

October 8, 2015