May 21, 2004

Abkhazia: Negotiations with Georgia began in Sukhumi


Georgia-Abkhazia negotiations on security measures and avoiding hostilities began in Sukhumi on Thursday under UN auspices
Sukhumi - Georgia-Abkhazia negotiations on security measures and avoiding hostilities began in Sukhumi on Thursday under UN auspices.

Special representative of the UN Secretary General in Georgia Heidi Tagliavini is attending the negotiations. Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba and Georgian State Minister for Separatist Conflicts Georgy Khaindrava are leading their respective delegations.

"Security is equally important for both sides considering the recent developments in Georgia," Khaindrava said before the negotiations.

"The media has become agitated over Georgian-Abkhaz relations, but I think there is no reason to worry and today's meeting will calm the fervor," he said.

The state minister said they would focus on the situation in the Gali district and Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge.

Shamba said that Abkhazia was concerned about Georgian statements following the events in Ajaria. "They escalated tension in relations between Tbilisi and Sukhumi," he said. Shamba hopes, "the negotiations will help to achieve stabilization in the conflict zone."

Source: Interfax