STATEMENT
ON RESULTS OF THE MEETING BETWEEN E. A. SHEVARDNADZE AND L. A. CHIBIROV IN
VLADIKAVKAZ
On
During the meeting that proceeded in the spirit of
mutual understanding a lively debate on a number of issues relating to the
process of comprehensive political settlement of Georgian-South Ossetian
conflict took place.
The Parties noted with satisfaction the emerging
positive tendencies in terms of settlement of the problem brought about by the
confrontations in the conflict zone. It was underlined that “Memorandum on
Necessary Measures to be undertaken in order to Ensure Security and
Strengthening Mutual Trust Between the Parties to the Georgian-Ossetian
Conflict” signed in Moscow on 16 May 1996 was an important step in that
direction.
Expressing strong belief in necessity of removing
all the consequences of the conflict and putting an end to tragic legacy of
recent years and restoring the spirit of peace and mutual trust, the Parties
stand ready to promote and implement the provisions of the Memorandum.
The Parties underlined relative tranquility
existing in the region in the course of last four years and attributed it to
the Agreement on Principles of Settlement of Georgian-South Ossetian Conflict
of
To this end, the Parties reiterate their
commitment to the article 1 of the Memorandum to denounce application of force
or threat of application force and article 2 to prevent and cut short any
illegal actions against individuals grounded on their ethnic origin. In
addition, the Parties agreed that in accordance with the provisions laid down
in the Memorandum, to further develop contacts between representatives of
political and civil organizations, creative and scientific intelligentsia,
journalists, to jointly organize “round
tables” with the participation of Russia and other states, OSCE, other
international organizations in order to ensure regular exchange of objective
information and discussion of issues of mutual interest, to use different
methods of people’ diplomacy.
The Parties deemed it as positive development that
there are some cases of joint economic activities and deemed it essential not
to spare any efforts for further deepening and widening the process of
restoration of economic ties that have been disrupted by the conflict and
confrontations. At the same time the desirability of establishing direct
economic ties between enterprises, firms and corporations was pointed out.
The Parties outlined plan for further development
of comprehensive political settlement of the Georgia Ossetian conflict and
pointed out, in this context, the importance of finding mutually acceptable
model of state-legal aspect for the settlement of the conflict.
To this end, the Parties agreed to set up
delegations that would be entitled with special mandate and these delegations
are to start concrete work and act in the spirit of the Memorandum and
enshrined in it principles of territorial integrity of the state and the right
of people to self-determination.
The positive role played by the Russian Federation
in conflict settlement and restoration of suffered regions, as well as
participation in this process of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, OSCE,
and other international organizations, including non-governmental
organizations, were pointed out.
The Parties pointed out the fundamental importance
of the
Having pointed out the importance of direct
contacts, the Parties expressed their belief that this meeting would serve as
strong impetus for further development of peace process, strengthening of
mutual trust and respect. The Parties agreed to further deepen bilateral contacts
and hold similar meeting on a regular basis.
At the meeting participated
President of the
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Head of the OSCE
(Newspaper “Svobodnaia Gruzia”, # 121, 28 August 1996)