UN Security Council Discusses Abkhazia

UN Secretary General?s Special Representatives to Georgia Heidi Tagliavini briefed the UN Security Council on January 25 regarding the recent developments in the Abkhazian conflict zone and said that an end to the political crisis in Abkhazia gives a chance to renew peace talks over conflict resolution issues.

She said that the Abkhaz side unilaterally pulled out from the peace talks in July, 2004 over a maritime incident, wherein the Georgian coast guard opened fire on a Turkish vessel en route to Abkhazia, but the Abkhaz side has now agreed to resume participation, reports Reuters.

The UN Security Council President, Argentine Permanent Representative C?sar Mayoral, said in a press statement that “members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.”