Georgian State Minister Hails Moscow Talks over Abkhazia

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said on June 16 that Georgian-Abkhaz talks, which were held in Moscow, created favorable conditions for further constructive negotiations between the sides.

State Minister Khaindrava and Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze, who were accompanied by officials from the state railway company and the Ministry for Refugees and Accommodations, met with Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba and Vice-Premier Leonid Lakerbaia on June 15-16 to negotiate over the resumption of the railway connection with Tbilisi and the return of internally displaced persons to Abkhazia.

Khaindrava said, while speaking with reporters after the talks, that ?the tone? of the negotiations was very constructive, which helped to build mutual confidence between the sides.

?We have actually agreed to set up groups which will jointly work over the creation of condition for the return of internally displaced persons [in the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia],? Goga Khaindrava said, adding these preparations will also include exact registration of the displaced persons.

He also said that it is most likely that the Abkhaz and Georgian sides will sign a protocol over this issue in early July, which will give a green light to ?an organized? return of IDPs to Gali district.

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