WORLD
Tbilisi highlights Russia's obligation to withdraw troops, ensure IDP return at Geneva International Discussions
Baku, November 7, AZERTAC
The Georgian Foreign Ministry on Thursday said the country’s delegation had highlighted Russia's obligations under the 2008 European Union-brokered ceasefire agreement to withdraw its troops from the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions and ensure “safe return” of displaced persons at the 62nd round of the Geneva International Discussions this week, Agenda.ge reported.
Led by Lasha Darsalia, Georgia's Deputy Foreign Minister, the delegation participated in the discussions co-chaired by representatives from the EU, the United Nations, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The platform, which facilitates talks on the consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, also involved Levan Mgaloblishvili, the Chair of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Tamaz Bestaev, the Head of South Ossetia’s administration, and delegates from the United States, Russia, and the de facto authorities of the occupied Georgian regions.
The Georgian delegation focused on the ongoing “severe” security, humanitarian, and human rights issues caused by the occupation, alongside the “continued destabilising actions of the occupation regimes”, the Ministry said.
However, their raising of the issue of return of IDPs to the regions was followed by the de facto authorities of the regions walking out of the session “as is customary”, it added.
