TBILISI. Feb 8 (Interfax-AVN)- The Georgian Foreign Ministry has said that the return of Chechen refugees could only be voluntary.
"The Russian side shares this position," head of the Foreign Ministry's department for public relations and information Kakha Sikharulidze said, announcing a visit of Russian Emergency Situations Ministry officials to Georgia aimed at helping Chechen refugees return from the Pankisi gorge to their homes.
The diplomat ruled out any military operation to accompany the return of the Chechen refugees. Sikharulidze said that Georgia expects Russia's suggestions on how to organize this process.
The Foreign Ministry official said that organizational issues would be discussed during the upcoming visit. "Details will be worked out later," the diplomat said.
Sikharulidze said that Russia is ready to provide its aircraft and vehicles that will carry refugees through the Verkhny Lars checkpoint.
Georgia has said that some 7,000 Chechen refugees are currently on its territory.
According to Sikharulidze, Russian officials must meet the Chechen refugees. He declined, however, to name the place and time for such meeting, as there is still a high risk factor in the Pankisi gorge, where the refugees are staying.
"The return of refugees to Chechnya is a positive development for both the refugees and the states of Georgia and Russia," the diplomat said. tm rm