JCC Agree on Zhvania-Kokoev Talks

The Georgian Prime Minister and President of self-styled South Ossetian Republic Eduard Kokoev will meet in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi before November 10, Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said on October 20.

Khaindrava, who represents the Georgian side in the quadripartite Joint Control Commission (CEC) was speaking with reporters after a JCC session, which was held on October 20 in the Russian embassy in Tbilisi.

However, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania set the demilitarization of the conflict zone in South Ossetia as a precondition for top-level talks with Kokoev.

?I am ready to meet with Eduard Kokoev if illegal Ossetian armed groups are withdrawn from the region,? Zhvania told reporters on October 19.