ArmInfo. The adoption of a statement on the non-use of force by the participants in the Geneva discussions on security in the Transcaucasus will be able to contribute to the beginning of the process of peaceful settlement in the region. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov said this on November 11 in Yerevan at the Museum-Institute of Ancient Manuscripts "Matenadaran" at a meeting with students of Armenian universities.
"It is obvious that the general improvement of the situation would be facilitated by the adoption of a virtually already agreed statement by the participants in the Geneva discussions on the non-use of force. This would help move to a meaningful discussion of the final peaceful political settlement of relations between Tbilisi, Sukhum and Tskhinval," the Russian Foreign Minister expressed his conviction.
In this context, Lavrov recalled that, thanks to the Geneva discussions no serious power surge was observed in relations between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and relative stability was maintained at the borders. "We are all interested in a friendly external environment, in the belt of good neighborliness. And our common interests are in the stable, safe, prosperous South Caucasus," Lavrov added.
The Geneva discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus have been regularly held since October 2008. One of the main issues is the signing of the document on the non-use of force. Moscow, Tskhinval and Sukhum urge Tbilisi to sign this agreement, but Georgia, which does not recognize the independence of its former autonomies, insists that Russia must assume the obligation not to use force. South Ossetia and Abkhazia emphasized that Georgia should conclude this agreement precisely with the two republics, and not with the Russian Federation, which is not a party to the conflict.
In October, the 49th round of the Geneva discussions on security and stability in the Caucasus was held, which discussed the aggravation of the situation on the border of Georgia and South Ossetia.