Russian, Georgian Presidents, Abkhaz de facto Prime-Minister Hold Talks

(Tbilisi. March 7, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Russian, Georgian Presidents and Prime-Minister of unrecognized Abkhaz Republic Genadi Gagulia meet in Sochi today, Russian media reports.

Before the meeting Russian President Putin said he ?hopes to discuss issue of return of IDPs, rehabilitation of transport infrastructure and power facilities in Abkhazia?.

?I hope to find solutions which will suit all the parties,? Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports quoting Georgian President Shevardnadze.

Abkhaz de facto Prime-Minister said ?the trilateral talks would help to resolve problems?.

Before the meeting with Shevardnadze, Gagulia and Putin held brief bilateral meeting. The issue of rehabilitation of the Enguri hydroelectric station at the river Enguri, which is the natural border between breakaway Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia, was discussed.

Unofficial Georgian reports say that the Georgian side had to accept participation of Abkhaz de facto Prime-Minister in talks between Shevardnadze and Putin after the Russia?s demand.

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