UN Hails Georgian-Abkhaz Talks in Geneva

The UN welcomed the participation of the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in talks held in Geneva on April 7-8 ?as an indication of their commitment to a peaceful settlement of the conflict and the interest of the parties in pursuing a practical approach to outstanding issues related to security and political matters, return of internally displaced persons, and economic cooperation,? the UN news centre reported on April 8. 

The meeting was chaired by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Gu?henno. In the interview with news agency RIA Novosti, Jean-Marie Gu?henno said, the sides expressed a readiness to discuss practical issues. The Georgian side is pushing the issue of a return of refugees, while the Abkhaz side is preoccupied with economic issues, he said.

RIA Novosti also quoted Valerie Loshchinin, Russian Deputy Foreign Minster who led the Russian delegation at the talks, as saying that the final document adopted by the participants stressed the importance of non-use of force, boosting the confidence-building process, economic cooperation and the return of internally displaced persons.

Chairman of the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile Irakli Alasania, who participated in talks in the capacity of the Georgian President?s representative for Abkhaz issues, said that he is ?satisfied by the Geneva talks.?

He said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Georgian service that a conference will be held in Berlin to discuss economic projects in Abkhazia.

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