PROTOCOL OF THE FIFTH MEETING
OF THE EXPERTS’ GROUPS OF THE PLENIPOTENTIARY DELEGATIONS OF THE SIDES IN THE
FRAMEWORK OF THE NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS ON BROAD SCALE SETTLEMENT OF THE
GEORGIAN-OSSETIAN CONFLICT
On
April 22-23, 2001 in the city of Vladikavkaz took place the fifth
meeting of the experts’ groups of the plenipotentiary delegations of the sides
in the framework of the negotiations process on broad scale settlement of the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict with mediation of the Russian Federation and with participation
of the representatives of the Republic North Ossetia-Alania and the OSCE (the
list of participants is attached).
The participants of the meeting discussed the
situation of the negotiations process and the situation in the conflict zone.
The participants agreed that the signing of
Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government
of Georgia on cooperation in the restoration of economy in the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone and return of refugees of December 23, 2000 and
activation of work of the JCC on settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict
gave new impetus to the negotiations process, creation of confidence and
cooperation between the sides.
The sides stressed that the endeavors taken in the
frame of JCC, directed to the improvement of activity of Joint Peacekeeping
forces and improvement of cooperation between the Law enforcement bodies of the
sides are facilitating the maintenance of stability in the conflict zone.
It was mentioned that in the framework of the JCC is
going on work on preparation of drafts of inter-state programs: a) On
cooperation in the restoration of economy in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict
zone; b) On return, settlement, integration and re-integration of refugees. The
realization of the mentioned programs is directed to formation of facility
social-economic background for development of peace process, relations of
cooperation and mutual understanding between the sides.
The participants of the meeting emphasized the
active participation of international organizations in the negotiations process
and realization of rehabilitation projects in the conflict zone.
The participants declare that the dynamics of
development of the situation creates new circumstances for discussion of
various issues, related with the problem of settlement, first of all, creation
of confidence building measures, cooperation in the field of economic
restoration in the conflict zone and elaboration of political aspects of the
process of settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
The sides agreed on the following:
1. To organize consultations between the sides of
the negotiations process, with a purposes of preparation in tow months period
of the draft document, reflecting possible approaches to the solution of the
above-mentioned issues, related with the problem of settlement of the
Georgian-Ossetian conflict, for its further discussion at the next meeting of
the experts’ groups.
1. To organize the next meeting of the experts’
groups of the plenipotentiary delegations of the sides in the framework of the
negotiations process on broad scale settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict in the second decade of July 2001. The issue of the place of the
meeting will be settled by the sides till June 1st, 2001 after the additional
consultations.
The participants of the meeting express gratitude to
the leadership of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania for organization of the
ideal conditions of work of the delegations.
On
behalf of the Georgian side (signed)
On
behalf of the South-Ossetian side (signed)
On
behalf of the Russian side (signed)
On
behalf of the North-Ossetian side (signed)
On
behalf of the OSCE (signed)
(Archive
of the Staff of the State Minister of Georgia on Conflict Settlement)