Georgian Security Chief Speaks of Moscow Talks

Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Gela Bezhuashvili said that during five-hour talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov in Moscow on September 28 the two sides discussed a broad range of issues regarding their bilateral relations, and focused on a resolution of the Abkhaz and South Ossetian conflicts.

?We were discussing Russia?s role in the resolution of these conflicts. But it was not the only issue discussed during the talks. We discussed a comprehensive framework agreement between Russia and Georgia and those disagreements which we have in regards to this issue. We also talked about border delimitation ? this is of strategic importance because a legal definition of borders is a high priority in bilateral relations,? Bezhuashvili said in an interview with the Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television on September 29.

He said that it is very important to precisely understand what Russia?s interests in this region are.

?We informed the Russian side about Georgia?s National Security Concept, which was just recently adopted by the Parliament and which describes our priorities. Unfortunately, there is no such document in Russia itself and it creates many difficulties,? Bezhuashvili said.

?Talks have been very serious and hard. Our Russian colleagues have no answers to many questions? We have serious complaints regarding the [Russian] peacekeepers and the current peace process. The Joint Control Commission [over South Ossetia] appeared absolutely incapable of securing the fulfillment of agreements,? he added.

Bezhuashvili said that in some cases Moscow understands Georgia?s concerns. ?Russians admit that all the agreements have been violated by holding a military parade in Tskhinvali [the South Ossetian capital on September 20],? he said.

The Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council also said that it is of vital importance to involve the United States in the peace process.

?We have to seriously work with both the U.S. and Russia to move the process forward,? he said.

?All the participants of this process should know our goal. This goal is Georgia?s territorial integrity and there is no other variant,? Bezhuashvili added.

Gela Bezhuashvili was accompanied in Moscow by Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava. Bezhuashvili returned to Georgia on September 29, while Giorgi Khaindrava is reportedly continuing his visit to the Russian capital.

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