STATEMENT
on Results of Meeting Between
E. Shevardnadze and L. Chibirov
A meeting between E. Shevardnadze and L. Chibirov
was held in Borjomi on
Discussing a wide range of problems, the
participants of the meeting noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of
the peaceful settlement process of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The positive
changes achieved after the Memorandum on Measures to Ensure Security and
Strengthening Mutual Trust between the Sides in the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict
signed in Moscow were strengthened by the results of the meetings between E.
Shevardnadze and L. Chibirov in Vladikavkaz on 27 August 1996 and Java on 14
November 1997, as well as the first meeting of the delegations of the Georgian
and Ossetian sides with special powers in comprehensive settlement of the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict, and continuing work of the Mixed Controlling
Commission and the Committee for Voluntary Return of Refugees and Forcibly
Displaced Persons to the Places of their Previous Permanent Residence
established with the commission.
The sides noted the positive role of the
Confirming their adherence to the recognized norms
of the international law, guided by the principle of territorial integrity of
countries and the right of peoples to self-determination, the Georgian and
South Ossetian sides confirmed again that the present and future of the
Georgian and Ossetian peoples are inseparably linked with maintenance and
strengthening of peace, and the relations based on trust and mutual
understanding. Difficult as the unresolved problems may be, they should be
resolved through peaceful measures, by way of a political dialogue and the use
of people’s diplomacy mechanisms.
The participants of the meeting noted that in the
context of comprehensive settlement of the conflict and further development of
the achieved results, the economic rehabilitation and development of the areas
that suffered during the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, including implementation
of the rehabilitation and restoration programs elaborated together with
international organizations, some of which are already being actively
implemented, are acquiring special importance. The sides also noted significant
objective preconditions for the fulfillment of the tasks.
The participants of the meeting expressed their
intention to appeal again to international donors (international organizations,
individual countries) with the request to render financial aid for restoration
and development purposes in order to promote the process of voluntary return of
refugees and forcibly displaced persons.
The participants of the meeting assessed in a
positive way international organizations’ efforts aimed at rehabilitation of
the areas subject to the conflict, namely the work performed by the UN
Development Program in the field of restoration of a number of medical, energy,
and communication facilities, transport communications, and habitation. A new
bridge over the river Patsa on the Gufta-Kvaisa highway was placed in
operation, the refurbishment of the Tskhinvali automatic telephone station was
carried out. Telephone communications between the settlements of the region, as
well as international telephone communications are functioning.
The participants of the meeting noted with
satisfaction the initiative of the European Union that declared about
allocation of ECU 3,5 million for the program of
rehabilitation and social and economic development of the conflict zone.
The sides noted with satisfaction the changes in
the fields of establishment of economic links. For example, the joint-stock
company Kazbegi and the Tskhinvali beer and juices plant established a joint
enterprise producing beer. The MAGTI Company and the South Ossetian Industrial
Society of Communications reached the agreement on cooperation in the field of
development of the mobile telephone communications. The initiative on
cooperation between the firm Mtebi and the Tskhinvali factory of “Emalprovod”
has been advanced.
Based on the 26 September 1997 decision of the
Mixed Controlling Commission for the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict, and the 8-9 December 1997 agreement on continued funding of
restoration work achieved during the meeting of the Georgian-Russian commission
on issues of economic cooperation, it was considered necessary to elaborate as
soon as possible a new agreement on economic restoration and development of the
areas subject to the Georgian-Ossetian conflict between the governments of the
Russian Federation and Georgia, with participation of the South Ossetian and
North Ossetian sides. The participants of the meeting stressed the importance
of speedy achievement of this agreement.
For the purposes of giving a new impetus to
restoration of the economy on the South Ossetian territory and drawing in investments,
the sides agreed to start elaboration of the issues related to development of
trade and economic links, creation of joint enterprises by industrial entities
of the sides participating in the conflict settlement, formation of conditions
for implementation of optimal forms of intensive economic development.
The participants of the meeting agreed to continue
consultations on the economic block of problems in order to achieve further
positive changes in the field.
A related exchange of views on improvement of
mechanisms of encouragement of voluntary and organized return of refugees and
forcibly displaced persons to the places of their previous permanent residence,
elaboration of an effective system of protection of their lawful rights and
interests, as well as resolution of legal, social, and economic problems
related to them, took place during the meeting. The participants of the meeting
noted that several hundreds of families have returned by now.
Taking into account the importance of the
documents proving people’s identity and for the purpose of implementation of
the inalienable human rights, the sides agreed to charge their related bodies
to consider the possibility of a mutually acceptable resolution of this problem
for the sides participating in the process of negotiations.
Pointing out again the importance of definition of
the basis of the national and legal aspects of relations between them, the
sides agreed to hold consultations on the issue in the framework of the
meetings of working groups.
The meeting was constructive. It was held in the
atmosphere of mutual respect.
On behalf of the Georgian side E. Shevardnadze
On behalf of the Ossetian side L. Chibirov
(Newspaper “Svobodnaya Gruzia”, # 158, 23 June 1998)