Russian and Georgian diplomats agree on failure of Geneva discussions

The next round of Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia ended without result, since the Russian and Georgian delegations exchanged reproaches and put forward mutually unacceptable conditions.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Georgian political analysts had called to change the format of Geneva discussions, pointing out inefficiency thereof. In March this year, the Georgian opposition criticized the proposal of President Salome Zurabishvili to create an additional format for dialogue with Russia.

At the discussions on April 2-3, Russia and Georgia raised the issue of NATO exercises in Southern Caucasus and the death of the Georgian citizen, Irakli Kvaratskheliya, in Abkhazia.

Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia protested against the US and NATO military activeness in Georgia, treating it as "the main threat to the regional security."

According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the discussions got stumped because of the "Georgia's counterproductive position," since it raised the issue of withdrawal of Russian troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Georgia has raised security problems in connection with the recent death of the detained Georgian citizen, Irakli Kvaratskheliya at the Russian military base in Abkhazia. It also drew attention to the dire consequences of the "annexation" of the two regions. In Georgia's opinion, the Russian, Abkhazian and South-Ossetian delegations demonstrated a "destructive approach" to the main agenda point.

Not wanting to discuss the problem of the return of refugees from Abkhazia and South Ossetia to their former homes, the delegations of Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia left the discussion venue.