JCC Informal Session in Istanbul

An informal, information session of the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (JCC) over South Ossetian conflict meets in Istanbul on March 21-23.

The recent plenary session of the quadripartite JCC, which involves negotiators from the Georgian, South Ossetian, Russian and Russia?s North Ossetian sides, was held in Vladikavkaz, Russia?s North Ossetia, last October.

The Georgian side has been refusing to participate in the plenary session of the JCC, as part of its effort to undermine this Russian-dominated quadripartite negotiating body.

Tbilisi is pushing for a new Georgian-Ossetian bilateral negotiating format, wherein other international actors, including the United States and EU together with Russia will act as equal mediators. Proposal is strongly opposed by Moscow and Tskhinvali.

At the Istanbul informal session, the South Ossetian side hopes to agree with Tbilisi terms of the next plenary session.

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