PROTOCOL THE 7-TH MEETING OF EXPERTS’ GROUP Of AUTHORIZED DELEGATIONS OF THE SIDES WITHIN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS on full-scale settlement of Georgian-Ossetian conflict

On 4 October 2002 the 7-th meeting of Experts’ group of authorized delegations of the sides within the negotiation process on full-scale settlement of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, under mediation of the Russian Federation, participation of representatives of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and the OSCE, in the presence of representatives of the European Commission (see the list attached) was held in Tskhinvali.

The representative of the OSCE Cio made a presentation at the meeting and delivered the invitation by Portuguese Chair to hold the 8-th meeting of the experts’ group of autorized delegations of the sides within the framework of negotation process on full-scale settlement of Georgian-Ossetian conflict on 26-27 October 2002 in Castelo-Branco (Portugal).

Bearing in mind the importance of the upcoming meeting and possible wide range of the problems to be discussed the sides applied to the Cio with the request to consider the possibility of adding working days to the proposed schedule.

The sides agreed to consider the issue of their participation in the 8-th meeting of the experts’ group and inform the OSCE on their decision not later than 8 October 2002.

In order to traft the agenda of the experts’ group 8-th meeting the sides agreed to exchange appropriate proposals withi a week’s time. If necessary, take final decision on this issue during the ad hoc Committee on Refugees session in Vladikavkaz on 15-20 October 2002.

The sides expressed their deep appreciation to the South Ossetian side for hospitality and for providing good working conditions for the above meeting.

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