Tbilisi happy with current format of Geneva negotiations
TBILISI. Oct 6 (Interfax) - Georgia will defend the current format of the Caucasus conflict settlement negotiations, head of the Georgian delegation to the Geneva negotiations, First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said at the Tbilisi airport on Monday before taking a flight to Geneva.
"At the suggestion of the Russian side, the Abkhazian and South Ossetian sides are proposing to review this settlement format, which is totally unacceptable for Georgia, we will do everything in our power to preserve this format," he emphasized.
This is the only existing conflict settlement format involving Russia, Sukhumi and Tskhinvali, the deputy minister said.
The Geneva negotiations involve Georgia, Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and the OSCE.
The Georgian delegation has departed for Geneva to take part in the 29th round of consultations on October 7-8.
The round will once again focus on the non-use of force, the application of international security mechanisms and the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes.
In addition, Georgia intends to discuss checkpoints on the border with Abkhazia.