Senior UN Official Meets Abkhaz Leadership

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Gu?henno held talks with new President of breakaway Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh and Vice-President Raul Khajimba in Sokhumi on February 16.

Jean-Marie Gu?henno said at a joint news briefing with Sergey Bagapsh after talks that security issues, as well as economic rehabilitations and the issue of internally displaced persons were discussed during the talks, Abkhaz news agency Apsnipress reported.

However, Sergey Bagapsh specified that the issue of the return of Georgian internally displaced persons was not discussed. ?We have only discussed the issue of security of those displaced persons who have already returned to Abkhazia [particularly in the Georgian-populated Gali district],? Sergey Bagapsh said.

Breakaway Abkhazia?s President said that Sokhumi is ready to resume talks with Tbilisi. ?But we should start with economic issues,? Bagapsh added.

?There are possibilities to move forward in negotiations only if there is no forceful pressure on Abkhazia,? Bagapsh said.