Georgian Foreign Ministry: CE calls on Russia to be constructive at Geneva talks

Tbilisi, Georgia, Nov. 7 By Nana Kirtzkhalia -Trend: The Council of Europe (CE) called on Russia to play a positive role at the Geneva talks, as well as to comply with international commitments. As the Georgian Foreign Ministry told on Thursday, this call was made at the 1183rd meeting of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers' Deputies, where the eighth consolidated report on 'Conflict in Georgia' by CE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland was considered. The report covers the period from April to September 2013. According to the statement, during the debate on the report, CE member states positively evaluated and supported continuation of the practice of submission of this report by the CE Secretary General. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, only Russia questioned the effectiveness of the consolidated report by the CE Secretary General. The Foreign Ministry said that in a statement by the Georgian delegation that 'special attention was given to the situation in the occupied territories with emphasis on the illegal action of the Russian military along the occupation line'. The Georgian side has urged CE member states to take effective steps to suppress the Russian illegal activities. The Georgian delegation also expressed satisfaction with the fact that the CE member states support the continuation of the practice of submitting a report by the CE Secretary General on 'Conflict in Georgia'. The Georgian delegation expressed its gratitude to CE member states for effective policy in the non-recognition of the occupied territories of Georgia, the ministry stressed. "The EU called on Russia to fulfil its international obligations including a six-point agreement on the cease-fire from August 12, 2008, to provide access for an EU monitoring mission to the occupied regions of Georgia, to accept the commitment in the non-use of force against Georgia and to play a constructive role at the Geneva talks," the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry noted that the Georgian Foreign Ministry welcomes the eighth consolidated report by the CE Secretary General, as well as statements in support of Georgia by EU, GUAM and other international organisations on this issue. Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.