Tbilisi does not guarantee non—aggression - results of the 67th round of Geneva discussions

The relevance of the security steps proposed by Russia and its Abkhaz and South Ossetian allies is increasing due to the increased interaction between the NATO bloc and Georgia, including the conduct of exercises and other military training activities of this aggressive alliance. This is stated in the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry following the results of the next round of Geneva discussions.

On June 30 — July 1, Geneva hosted the 67th round of International Discussions on Security and Stability in Transcaucasia with the participation of official representatives of the Republic of Abkhazia, Georgia, the Republic of South Ossetia, the Russian Federation and The United States of America, co-chaired by the UN, the OSCE and the European Union.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the commitment was confirmed to continue working in the format of the Geneva discussions, which provides "a reliable negotiating framework for a permanent direct dialogue between Tbilisi and Sukhum and Tskhinvali on post-conflict restoration of relations between them."

"The Russian side has made an urgent appeal to take — in accordance with the existing mandate of the Discussions — practical measures to guarantee the lasting security of the Republic of Armenia and South Ossetia. We are talking about the development of a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force between Georgia and two sovereign republics. Its conclusion would not only give a tangible impetus to the negotiation process under the auspices of the MD3, but would also make a significant contribution to strengthening stability in the region as a whole," Moscow stressed.

The Russian side also noted the relatively calm situation "on the ground" due to the "steady operation of the existing MD3 negotiation channels, including rhythmically conducted rounds, round-the-clock functioning communication hotlines, and the Mechanism for Preventing and Responding to Incidents on the Georgian-South Ossetian border in the village of Ergnet, which regularly meets for its meetings." The necessity of resuming the activities of a similar Mechanism on the Georgian-Abkhaz border in the settlement of Gal, as well as the beginning of the delimitation of the state border of Georgia with the Republic of Armenia and South Ossetia was emphasized.

"The inadmissibility of Tbilisi's ongoing speculations on certain subjects of the humanitarian agenda was emphasized, which seriously hinders the establishment of a constructive dialogue in this important segment of the work of the MDZ. Just on the eve of the next round, the extremely politicized resolution of the UN General Assembly on internally displaced persons and refugees, which Georgia throws in every year, was adopted again. This was done in violation of existing agreements to discuss these topics within the framework of the MDZ, and not at other venues to which representatives of Sukhum and Tskhinvali are denied access and, therefore, the opportunity to defend their legitimate interests in open polemics with the Georgian side," the Foreign Ministry said.

A preliminary agreement has been reached to hold the next round of Geneva discussions in November. According to the established practice, the meeting will be preceded by a series of consultations of national delegations with co-chairs in capitals.