Russia, Georgia Start Implementation of Sochi Agreement Over Abkhazia

(Tbilisi. April 24, 2003. Civil Georgia) – ?My visit demonstrates that we start practical implementation of Sochi agreement, signed by President Shevardnadze and Putin,? Valeri Loshchinin, Russian President?s personal envoy for the Abkhaz conflict settlement told the reporters upon his arrival in Tbilisi on April 24.

According the agreement signed in Sochi on March 7 the joint Russo-Georgian governmental commissions will work over the safe return of IDPs in Abkhazia, restoration of the Russian-Georgian railway link via Abkhazia and rehabilitation of the power facilities in the breakaway region.

Today Valeri Loshchinin will hold talks with the Georgian Special Affairs Minister Malkhaz Kakabadze and Foreign Minister Irakli Menagharishvili.

Russian official also said that the issue of the Russian peacekeepers mandate deployed in the Abkhazian conflict zone under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Independent State will not be discussed during this visit.

Loshchinin said that he intends to visit Abkhaz capital Sokhumi in the nearest future as well.