STATEMENT on the Meeting between the Georgian and Abkhaz Sides
The sides note with satisfaction that the arrival in Tbilisi of the
Abkhaz delegation headed by V. Ardzinba and its negotiations with the Georgian
delegation headed by E. Shevardnadze, with the participation of the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Y. Primakov, will undoubtedly lay
positive ground to the process of a peaceful settlement.
The participants in the meeting noted with satisfaction to the role of
the
in the
Georgian–Abkhaz conflict settlement, as clearly manifested in the initiative by
the president of the Russian Federation B. N. Yeltsin of
On
The sides are convinced that the time has come to embark on
a course leading to peace and prosperity with a sense of dignity and mutual
tolerance, to act jointly in a spirit of compromise and reconciliation.
The sides committed themselves not to resort to arms to
resolve the opposition that separates them and prevent, under any
circumstances, a renewal of bloodshed. Any differences of opinion shall be
resolved exclusively by peaceful political means, through negotiations and
consultations both on a bilateral basis and with the aid and facilitation of
the
It was noted that it had been possible to reach agreement on a number of
key problems of the settlement though yet there are certain issues with
substantial differences.
The parties agreed on the need to remain in constant contact for the
purpose of resolving the problems that gave rise to the conflict.
For the Georgian side: E.
Shevardnadze
For the Abkhaz side: V. Ardzinba
Tbilisi, 14 August 1997