Although there are many skeptics in Europe doubting the success of Tbilisi?s efforts to replace the current Russian-led peacekeeping operations with international forces, it is a realistic goal that will be accomplished ?sooner or later,? Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili said on January 23.
Bezhuashvili was speaking about Georgia?s policy priorities in resolving secessionist conflicts while delivering a public lecture at Tbilisi State University.
He said that the current status quo in the conflict zones should be changed in order to avoid ?unpredictable consequences.?
?We have a very clear position in this regard: we can not tolerate the current status quo and, most importantly, there is an understanding of this position among our partners, including in Europe – but not among all of them [partners]; so we have much to do to further promote this idea that the status quo is harmful not only for Georgia, but also for all of Europe,? Bezhuashvili said.
He said ?direct dialogue? with the South Ossetian and Abkhaz sides under UN and OSCE auspices, and also with the active involvement of the EU and the United States together with Russia, is Georgia?s priority in its conflict resolution policy.
The attempt to change the current Russian-dominated peacekeeping and negotiating formats is also part of this policy, Bezhuashvili said.
?Replacement of the current biased peacekeeping operation with international forces is a very difficult process. There are many skeptics in Europe who claim that it is now impossible. But I believe that we will achieve this goal and sooner or later unbiased international forces will replace the current formats,? Bezhuashvili said.
He also noted that the Georgian authorities will soon work out a new legal basis to replace ?outdated mechanisms.? This includes the 1992 Sochi and 1994 Moscow agreements, which set down the foundation for the current peacekeeping and negotiating formats for the South Ossetian and Abkhaz peace process, respectively.
Bezhuashvili said that as a result of Georgia?s active foreign policy, the secessionist conflicts have captured the attention of the international community.
?The issue of conflict resolution has become a matter of internal discussion of the European Union. This is very important for us. Several years ago these territories had no importance for the European Union. This issue has also turned into a regular part of the dialogue between the EU and Russia,? Bezhuashvili said.
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