Russian-Abkhaz Agreement To Negatively Affect Security Of Georgia

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Davit Zalkaliani met with the Special Representative of the OSCE, Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger, who is also co-chair of the Geneva talks.
During the meeting the parties discussed the results of the last round of the Geneva talks, which took place Oct. 8, and stressed the importance of continuing a constructive dialogue on the agenda issues, Georgian Foreign Ministry told Trend Oct.24.
The agenda issues were related primarily to the non-use of force, the establishment of international security arrangements in the occupied districts and the return of refugees to their homes

At the meeting, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia once again expressed concern of his country in connection with the draft treaty on the alliance and integration between Russia and the occupation regime. He noted that such actions from the Russian side will be regarded as the next step towards the annexation of Georgia’s territory.
At the meeting it was noted that the conclusion of the above mentioned treaty will become an obstacle for reaching progress on specific issues within the framework of the Geneva talks and will negatively affect the security of Georgia and the region as a whole.
The draft of "Treaty between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia on the alliance and integration", prepared by the Russian side, was sent to the so-called parliament of the region October 13, the mass media said.
In accordance with the draft, "introduction of a coordinated foreign policy, the formation of a common space of security and defense, the creation of a unified social and economic space, the preservation of the common cultural and humanitarian space are the main areas of cooperation, integration and partnership."
The Geneva talks were convened after the armed conflict in August 2008 in Georgia, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement of Aug. 12.
On the night of August 8, 2008, military actions were launched on the territory of South Ossetia, Georgia. Later the Russian troops occupied the city and drove back the Georgian military. In late August, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In response, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced two unrecognized republics as occupied territories. (Cihan/Trend az)