UN Russia Hail Constructive Talks in Geneva

(Tbilisi, July 23, 2003, Civil Georgia) – According to the UN Observers Mission in Georgia the Abkhaz and Georgian sides expressed readiness for constructive engagement in conflict settlement during the Geneva talks.

Economic cooperation, return of IDPs, political and security issues were discussed at the top level meeting of the UN Secretary General?s Group of Friends on Georgia (Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia and the United States) in Geneva on July 21-22.

The meeting was chaired by Jean-Marie Gu?henno, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.

The Georgian side was represented by Special Affairs Minister Malkhaz Kakabadze, the Abkhaz side ? by de facto Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba and the Russian side ? by Deputy Foreign Minister and President Putin?s representative for the Abkhaz conflict issues Valeri Loshchinin. Revaz Adamia, Georgia?s Representative in the UN also participated in the meeting.

Russian President?s special envoy for the Abkhaz conflict settlement Valeri Loshchinin in the interview to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti welcomed the talks in Geneva and said ?it was a step forward? towards the conflict resolution.

On completion of the Geneva meeting Georgian Special Affairs Minister Malkhaz Kakabadze and Abkhaz de facto Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba will hold unofficial meetings in London on July 23-24.