Abkhazia to demand return of cultural objects at Geneva discussions
SUKHUMI. March 25 (Interfax) - Abkhazia will call the attention of parties to the Geneva discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus to the need for creating a mechanism of the return of cultural objects removed from Abkhazia to Georgia in the 20th century and during the Georgian-Abkhaz war of 1992-1993, Abkhazian delegation head, Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Chirikba told reporters.
He spoke to the media before going to Geneva to attend the seventh round of consultations on March 25-26.
The delegates will continue to discuss a legally binding agreement on Georgia's non-use of force at the security group, Chirikba said.
"Currently, the parties are working on a joint statement about the non-use of force, which they view as an important step towards a legally binding agreement," he noted.
Also, Sukhumi will once again urge the lift of restrictions on the issue of foreign visas for its residents, the minister said.
"In the opinion of the Abkhazian side, the lift of these restrictions, which have no international legal grounds, will contribute to the provision of main unalienable rights and freedoms of residents of Abkhazia," the foreign minister said.
The international discussions on security in the South Caucasus, a part of the Medvedev-Sarkozy peace plan, were launched in October 2008. They involve Russia, the United States, Abkhazia, Georgia, South Ossetia, the UN, the OSCE and the European Union.
