Georgian Foreign Minister Briefs Foreign Diplomats over Abkhazia

Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili met with foreign Ambassadors accredited in Georgia on December 2 to inform them regarding the recent developments in Abkhazia.

?Today all the attention of the international community has turned to the developments in Ukraine, which may result in less interest towards the Abkhazian issue. But we think that most alarming events may develop in Abkhazia now, because we have already witnessed those measures carried out by Moscow [in Abkhazia],? Salome Zourabichvili said at a news briefing after meeting with the foreign diplomats.

?We have already expressed our strong protest regarding the visit of Russian officials [from Interior Ministry and General Prosecutor?s Office] in Abkhazia and their meetings with the Abkhaz law enforcement agency officials. This [Russian officials? visit] is not a good sign, it may be a very bad sign,? the Georgian Foreign Minister said.

She said that the Georgian authorities are ?extremely cautious.?

?Our top priority is to avoid tensions in Abkhazia and to maintain a stable situation there,? Salome Zourabichvili added.

?We do not think that the natural situation inside Abkhazia will lead to this kind of destabilization. But destabilization may occur only in the event of interference of external forces. That is why we want our friendly countries to be informed about the situation in Abkhazia, so they can pay more attention and, if they can, influence Russia and call on Russia for restraint,? the Georgian Foreign Minister added.

She said that UN-sponsored talks between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides with the participation of the representatives of the UN Secretary-General?s Group of Friends for Georgia (France, Germany, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States) in frames of so called Geneva Process are scheduled for December 13-14.

?This is a very important [meeting]. Our desire is to avoid destabilization in the region,? Salome Zourabichvili said.