Galuzin: Russia making decisive contribution to maintaining peace and  stability in Transcaucasia

ArmInfo.  Russia is making a decisive contribution to maintaining peace and stability in  Transcaucasia and considers the conclusion of a legally binding  agreement on the non-use of force between Georgia, Abkhazia, and  South Ossetia a key objective of international discussions on  security and stability in the region. This was stated by Russian  Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin to TASS.

"Russia is making a decisive contribution to maintaining peace and  stability in Transcaucasia," he said.  Galuzin explained that the  maintenance of relative stability is facilitated by "international  discussions themselves, mechanisms for preventing and responding to  incidents, hotlines between border services, and contacts between the  parties." "The very existence of these mechanisms and dialogue, both  at the delegation level during official rounds and on the ground,  helps ensure relative stability and calm in the border area," the  diplomat noted. He added that most incidents in the region involve  illegal border crossings from 

Georgia, but "in the overwhelming majority of cases, the authorities  of Abkhazia and South Ossetia limit themselves to a brief  investigation" and return violators to Georgian territory without  criminal prosecution.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that Moscow considers  the central objective of international discussions on security and  stability in the Transcaucasus "the development of a legally binding  agreement on the non-use of force by Georgia against Abkhazia and  South Ossetia." He stated that such an agreement should become "the  most effective instrument for ensuring lasting security in the  region." At the current stage, however, "partnership, allied, and  equal relations between Russia and Abkhazia and South Ossetia" play a  key role in ensuring security in the region. He also emphasized that  Russia will continue to seek the transfer of international  discussions on security and stability in the Transcaucasus from  Geneva due to Switzerland's loss of status as a neutral mediator.

"We have raised this issue repeatedly and continue to do so, and we  will actively and firmly raise it," the deputy minister explained.  Galuzin noted that Russia considers Switzerland's neutral status to  be lost after it joined the sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, he  stated, the lack of direct air travel between Moscow and Geneva due  to the same restrictions complicates the participation of delegations  in the negotiations.  Galuzin emphasized that Moscow favors finding a  new venue for negotiations not only based on its own interests but  also taking into account the convenience of all participants in the  process. According to him, of the five country delegations  participating in international discussions on security and stability  in the Transcaucasus, three-Russia, Abkhazia, and South  Ossetia-support the transfer of the venue. "Our allies support us.  And we assume that the three co-chairs will take this very  seriously," the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

International discussions on security and stability in the  Transcaucasus have been held in Geneva since 2008, with the  participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the United States, and  South Ossetia, and mediated by special representatives of the UN, EU,  and OSCE. Work is traditionally conducted in two working groups: one  on security and one on humanitarian issues. The Geneva discussions  remain the only platform for dialogue between Sukhumi, Tbilisi, and  Tskhinvali.