Reports: Russia Offers JCC in Moscow, Instead of Vienna

Russia proposed to hold a session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) over South Ossetian in Moscow instead of Vienna, the RIA Novosti news agency quoted unnamed Russian diplomat from the Foreign Ministry on February 17.

JCC meeting, which involves negotiators from Georgia, Russia, breakaway South Ossetian and Russia’s North Ossetia, was planned for February 20-21 in the Austrian capital.

“Against the background of tense situation [in the South Ossetian conflict zone] negotiators should be maximally close to the scene [the conflict zone] as possible,” unnamed Russian diplomat was quoted by the agency as saying.

He also said that visiting Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues was informed about this proposal and he will discuss it with the Georgian leadership on Saturday.