Abkhaz Side Rejects “Official Talks” with Alasania

Foreign Minister of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Shamba told reporters before the UN-mediated talks with the Georgian side in Tbilisi on August 4 that the Abkhaz side refuses to participate in official negotiations in which the Georgian side will be represented by Georgian Presidential envoy for Abkhaz issues Irakli Alasania. The latter also chairs the Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government-in-exile, which is denounced by the authorities in the unrecognized republic as ?illegitimate.?

Shamba hailed Alasania as very constructive person, with whom it is possible to hold consultations, but not official talks, not while he is the chairman of Tbilisi-based Abkhaz government.

Irakli Alasania will not participate in the Tbilisi talks on August 4, which is expected to focus on security guarantees in the conflict zone, though it was reported earlier that Alasania planned to take part in these UN-led negotiations, which are held in the frames of so-called Geneva process. Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava represents the Georgian side at the talks.

The Abkhaz side once participated in similar negotiations in Geneva on April 7-8, where Alasania was also participating in the capacity of the Georgian President?s representative.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)