Khaindrava Seeks for Abkhaz Consent on Receiving Refugees

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava said on September 6 that the Abkhaz authorities should give a consent on the return of Georgian refugees to the Gali district of the breakaway region.

?We should be convinced that the Abkhaz side is ready to recognize refugees? rights to return. However, we have not noticed any understanding of this kind from the Abkhaz side so far,? news agency RIA Novosti quotes Khaindrava as saying after the first round of Georgian-Abkhazian talks in Russia?s Black Sea resort of Sochi.

He also said that the talks over the return of Georgian refugees are rather difficult. ?We have discussed a great deal of issues, which are of principled importance for Georgia, but if we do not achieve mutual understanding over these issues, it will be difficult to speak about any progress,? Khaindrava added.

Two-day Georgian-Abkhaz talks were launched in Sochi on October 6 with the participation of Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba and UN Secretary General?s Special Representative in Georgia Heidi Tagliavini.

Reportedly, the issue of resuming the Georgian-Russian railway via breakaway Abkhazia will also be discussed during the talks.

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