November 21, 2014, Sukhum. The President of Abkhazia Raul Khadzhimba met with the co-chairmen of the Geneva discussions on security and stability in Transcaucasia Herbert Salber, Angelo Gnadinger and UN political counselor at Geneva Discussions Hailu Mamo.
The meeting was of introductory nature as this was the first visit of the delegation of co-chairmen from the moment of election of Raul Khadzhimba to the post of the President of the Republic of Abkhazia.
The participants to a meeting exchanged their views on a current situation in the region and the prospects of Geneva discussions.
Raul Khadzhimba noted the significance of such a platform as Geneva discussions for expressing the positions of Abkhazia but underlined that the prolonged negotiation process with no results causes concern of the Abkhaz side.
The co-chair of the discussions from OSCE Angelo Gnadinger noted the positive dynamics of the Geneva process. He also informed the President on his recent participation in the Permanent council of OSCE where all 57 countries-participants expressed support of expediency of the Geneva discussions.
Co-chair form European Union Herbert Salber asked the President how the signing of the Agreement between Abkhazia and Russia on alliance and strategic partnership could affect Geneva process. “We, as co-chairmen, cannot comment on your decision to sign the Agreement with Russia, but we are interested in how the participants of Geneva discussions would react to this and how it would affect their moods”, underlined the diplomat.
Raul Khadzhimba noted that Abkhazia being an independent and sovereign state is guided be the national interests in issues of signing international documents. The President does not see any causes for worries related to the conclusion of the new Agreement between Abkhazia and Russia on alliance and strategic partnership.
“At an early date this Agreement will be signed. Securing of sovereignty and independence of Abkhazia runs all through the Agreement. No changes in relation to Geneva discussion will take place. We will proceed with our participation in this process”, said the President.
Raul Khadzhimba drew attention of the diplomats to the fact that the opinion of Abkhazia must be taken into account in realization of the efforts of the international society to normalize intergovernmental relations of Abkhazia and Georgia. Abkhaz side is interested in resolving issues related to conclusion of a legally bounding agreement with Georgia on non-use of force. The process is necessary both in humanitarian aspect and in particular in relation to the right of free movement of citizens of Abkhazia. “This position of the leadership of Abkhazia must be heard”, underlined the President.
The sides expressed hope on further fruitful cooperation within the framework of the Geneva format.
Mountain Abkhazia
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