Tbilisi decisive to keep Geneva format of talks
By Mushvig Mehdiyev
Georgian authorities will take utmost to keep the format of Geneva International Discussions, Maia Panjikidze, Georgia's Foreign Minister said.
"Georgia is interested in keeping that format of talks and we will do our best to ensure that nothing threatens the Geneva format," Panjikidze noted.
However, she said, Russia, as well as Sokhumi and Tskhinvali will not stop their efforts to change the format of talks.
Zurab Abashidze, Georgian PM's Personal Representative on Russia, has also stressed the importance of the Geneva talks. "Geneva format is the most important. That is an international format which reviews the complicated issues. That's why, we should do all to keep that format," he said.
Geneva International Discussions have firstly held in 2008 based on the agreements reached after the war in Georgia, in August 2008.
The discussions are co-chaired by representatives from the EU, UN and OSCE and involve negotiators from Georgia, Russia and the United States along with the plenipotentiaries from Sokhumi and Tskhinvali. Geneva talks are held in the format of two working groups. The first group is responsible to discuss the security-related issues, while the second one holds talks on humanitarian issues.