TBILISI. June 29 (Interfax) - Tbilisi will put emphasis on Russia's signing of an agreement on the non-use of force against Georgia at the upcoming round of Geneva consultations on security and stability in the South Caucasus on July 1, Georgian Foreign Ministry spokesman David Kereselidze has said.
"We will once again raise the question of the non-use of force by the Russian Federation against Georgia and the launch of international mechanisms required in the territories occupied by Russia," Kereselidze said at a press briefing on Monday.
In his words, the negotiations will also highlight humanitarian issues related to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The Geneva consultations on security and stability in the South Caucasus kicked off under the UN aegis in October 2008. They involve representatives of Georgia, the United States, Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE. Two working groups addressing stability and security and humanitarian affairs have been set up within the consultation format.
Some Georgian experts argue that the Geneva consultations have reached an impasse as the main stumbling stone is the issue of Georgia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Tbilisi is strongly opposed to discussion of this matter; it believes that these Georgian regions have been occupied by Russia.
Meanwhile, the Geneva consultations are the only platform for contact between all conflicting sides, and some problems are being resolved there.