PROTOCOL OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF EXPERTS’ GROUPS OF EMPOWERED DELEGATIONS OF THE SIDES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF NEGOTIATION PROCESS ON FULL-SCALE RESOLUTION OF GEORGIAN-OSSETIAN CONFLICT
In compliance with the protocol of the fifth meeting of experts’ groups of empowered delegations of the sides (Vladikavkaz, 22-23 April 2001) on 14-19 September 2001 the sixth meeting of experts; groups of empowered delegations of the sides within the framework of negotiation process on full-scale resolution of Georgian-Ossetian conflict was held in Bucharest (Romania) through mediation of the Russian Federation, with participation of representatives of the North Ossetia-Alania and the OSCE, in the presence of representatives of European Union (list of participants attached).
The participants to the meeting unanimously condemned horrible
terrorist acts against the
The participants to the meeting addressed the issues on confidence building measures as the most important factor for reaching progress and working out political aspects of settlement of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, on economic rehabilitation in the zone of conflict and on financial assistance to the Georgian and South Ossetian sides in the process of conflict settlement.
The sides took note of particular importance of extermination of ideas of forceful settlement of the conflict, which still exist in public mentality and expressed their concern about stereotypes, still to be observed in the area. At the same time stabilizing role of Joint Peacekeeping Forces in timely prevention of aggravation of the situation in the zone of conflict was specially stressed.
The participants to the meeting agreed that in the context of full-scale settlement of the conflict the search for mutually acceptable resolution of the problem of state-legal aspects of relations between the sides to the conflict, as well as solution of the problem of economic rehabilitation in the zone of conflict are most important. The sides underscored that confidence building and confidence elaborations between the sides of the conflict as well as observance of the commitments are most important factors for the peace process.
The participants to the meeting commended the role of international organizations in the settlement process, underscoring the importance of rehabilitation projects, carried out by European Commission in the zone of conflict.
The sides emphasize special significance of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the process of economic rehabilitation in the zone of Georgian-Ossetian conflict and return of refugees of 23 December 2000 (Tbilisi), as well as of ongoing process of working out the mechanisms of implementation of the Russian – Georgian Intergovernmental program on coordinated activities in the field of economic rehabilitation in the zone of Georgian-Ossetian conflict (further in the text – Program), which attaches momentum to the process of full scale resolution of Georgian-Ossetian conflict. In this relation the participants to the meeting commended the preparedness of the Sides to the Agreement to apply all possibilities in order to attract financial and other resources, investments, credits and subsidies to the zone of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, including those of international and foreign organizations, third countries in compliance with their pledges and norms of international law.
The participants to the meeting call attention to the fact that unsettledness of the conflict impedes the creation of favorable climate for investments in the zone of conflict. At the same time with the rise of confidence and cooperation between the sides in the field of economic rehabilitation in the zone of conflict with parallel development of political aspects of the settlement process, sizable increase of investments for economic rehabilitation in the zone of conflict might be possible.
The sides took notice of the OSCE information of the preparedness of European Union to provide financial assistance to the Georgian and the South Ossetian sides in order to support the negotiation process and mentioned that they regard this as an actual contribution to practical work on settlement of Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
The sides worded out the following recommendations:
1. Accelerate the creation of Russian-Georgian intergovernmental body for implementation of the Program, of Georgian – South Ossetian body on completion of the programs of international donors and investors, as well as of other mechanisms, envisaged by appropriate JCC decisions for the Program’s implementation.
2. Outline the arrangement on Promotion of joint activities of sides for economic rehabilitation in the zone of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, making notice of a good will manifested by the side.
3. Take appropriate measures to prevent and to cut short illegal actions, human rights abuse and discrimination of the basis of ethnic belonging, as well as publication of materials, humiliating national dignity in official mass media.
4. Develop a program of confidence building measures between the sides in the conflict for consideration at the next experts’ groups meeting.
The sides expressed their profound gratitude to Romanian
Chairmanship of the OSCE and the Romanian Government for their kind invitation
to hold the sixth meeting of experts’ groups in
For the South Ossetian side (signed)
For the Georgian side (signed)
For the North Ossetian side (signed)
FPR the Russian side (signed)
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