Informal translation

PROTOCOL OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF EXPERTS' GROUPS OF AUTHORIZED DELEGATIONS OF THE SIDES within the Framework of the Negotiation Process on a Full Scale Resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian Conflict

In conformity with the OSCE Istanbul Summit Declaration, the fourth meeting of experts' groups of authorized delegations of the sides within the framework of negotiation process on a full scale resolution of the Georgia-Ossetian conflict took place in Vienna (Austria), on 10-13 July 2000, through the mediation of the Russian Federation and with the participation of the representatives of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania and of the OSCE (list of participants is attached).

In compliance with previously reached agreements, discussion on draft Intermediary Document on a full-scale resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict was continued at this meeting. For the first time since the beginning of the experts' groups' work on this Document, the sides initiated the discussions on earlier submitted proposals on the provisions, directly related to state-legal relationship.

Considering the interrelation between reaching agreement by the sides on provisions of para 4, 5 and #2 of para. 13, the sides consider it expedient to address the mentioned provisions in a package.

The sides regard possible signing of the Intermediary Document as serious political step, and in this connection mentioned the expediency of deciding the issues, included in the above-mentioned package, on the political level.

The sides raise a proposal with the Austrian chairmanship of the OSCE to hold - together with the Russian Federation - consultations with the sides on guarantees of future agreements on the Georgian-Ossetian conflict settlement.

The Georgian side informed the meeting participants on current review of the issue concerning handing over to the South Ossetian side of existing unused specimen of the USSR passports of 1974.

The sides stated that resolution of the mentioned issue will allow to speed-up the agreement on para 12 of the document under discussion.

The sides particularly state, that effective assistance by the Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE in conducting the Vienna meeting had seriously contributed to reaching positive results at the fourth experts' groups meeting.

The participants of the Vienna meeting express profound gratitude to the Austrian side for organization and provision of ideal conditions for the work of delegations.

For The South Ossetian Side

For The Georgian Side

For The Russian Side

For The North Ossetian Side

For The Osce

2000 July 13

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