Lavrov, Rice Discuss Abkhaz Conflict

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the Abkhaz conflict with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a meeting in Singapore on the sidelines of the 27-nation ASEAN Regional Forum on July 23.

“We reiterated that without taking urgent decisions on the non-use of force by the sides and without moves directed towards a de-escalation of the situation in the Kodori Gorge, it is unlikely that confidence will be restored or other issues discussed, including the return of refugees and economic rehabilitation in the conflict zones,” Lavrov said after the meeting in remarks posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.