JOINT STATEMENT of the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides of 4 August 2002

On 4 August 2002 under the aegis of the UN and under the chairmanship of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Georgia Ms. Kh. Talyaviny the Gali meeting was held with participation of the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides in the presence of the Chief Military Observer of the UNOMIG General K. Ashfak.

The Georgian side was represented by the delegation headed by Mr. A. Jorbenadze. The Abkhaz side was represented by the delegation headed by Mr. A. Jergenia.

In the course of meeting the sides affirmed their commitment to the regulation of disputable issues solely through the peaceful ways. The sides expressed their concern about exacerbation of situation in the northern part of Gulripshi district and discussed the complex of measures aimed at early diffusion of the strained situation and decided to take all necessary steps for stabilization of the situation and prevention of crises, in particular:

- on 5 August 2002 the representatives of the sides will visit the northern part of Gulripshi district. The proposals on controlling mechanisms over the situation in this region will be elaborated based on the results of this visit;

- the “hot-line” will be established to provide prompt communication of the sides in case of emergency in order to exchange operative information and remove the tension.

The sides stressed on usefulness of such meetings and agreed to hold further meetings when necessary.

From the Georgian side A. Jorbenadze

From the Abkhaz side A. Jergenia

From the UN Kh. Tagliavini

From the UNOMIG K. Ashfak

4 August 2002

(Archive of the Staff of the State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution Issues)