Zhvania Sets Demilitarization as Precondition for Talks with Kokoev
Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told reporters on October 19 that he will meet with de facto South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoev only after the complete demilitarization of the conflict zone.
?I am ready to meet with Eduard Kokoev if illegal Ossetian armed groups are withdrawn from the region,? Zhvania said.
He also insists on discussing South Ossetia?s political status in case the top-level talks occur.
?Afterwards we will discuss economic projects, first of which being issues regarding the restoration of the railway link [with the breakaway region]? Zhvania added.
The talks between Zhvania and Kokoev topped the agenda of recent meetings of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission. However, no venue and no exact date has been agreed upon yet.
