WTO-ABKOMMEN MIT RUSSLAND - WTO-DEAL WITH RUSSIA

10.11.2011 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

Georgien begrüßt 'erfolgreiches' WTO-Abkommen mit Russland - 10.10.2011, Civil Georgia

WTO deal with Russia is "very successful" for Georgia because "for the first time it allows to carry out international oversight on movement of cargo between Russia and Georgia's occupied territories," Nino Kalandadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, said on November 9.

Georgia said earlier on November 9 that it had signed with Moscow an agreement in the Swiss-mediated talks, thus finalizing bilateral WTO negotiations.

Kalandadze said that Georgia will soon make the signed documents publicly available.

She said that apart of border crossing points located on the Abkhaz and South Ossetian sections of the Georgian-Russian border, Zemo Larsi-Kazbegi border crossing point outside the breakaway regions would also fall under the international monitoring, which is planned to be carried out by a private company hired by Switzerland. With this, Kalandadze said, “Russia has actually recognized a uniform trade regime with Georgia, which we also welcome.”

“We hope that in the future Russia will also take such pragmatic stance in respect of those issues, which remain problematic between Russia and Georgia," she said.

She also expressed Georgia's appreciation towards the Swiss mediation efforts. Russia and Georgia launched Swiss-mediated WTO talks in March, 2011.

Tbilisi also welcomed Swiss efforts in the process of negotiations and stressed the importance of the decision, according to which a private company, which will carry out monitoring of trade between Russia and Georgia “will be accountable to the Swiss government and not to the sides.”

Georgien und Russland unterzeichnen WTO-Abkommen - 09.10.2011, Civil Georgia

Russia and Georgia signed on November 9 a bilateral agreement, completing WTO talks, Georgian negotiator, Sergi Kapanadze, said.

“We are very glad that after hesitation, Russia accepted the Swiss proposal; that is very important for us, because this is the first time when an international monitoring will be carried out on movement of cargo between Russia and Georgia, which also involves [cargo going in and from] Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region,” Kapanadze told Georgian TV station, Rustavi 2, via phone from Geneva on November 9.

The package of documents includes bilateral agreement between the Russian and Georgian governments on customs administration and trade monitoring, he said. The package also includes documents related to the mandate of third, neutral party, Switzerland, which will hire a private company in charge of monitoring of trade. Kapanadze also said that the sides have also exchanged notes on terms of operation of a company, which will be monitoring the trade; these terms, he said, include provisions guaranteeing the company’s neutral operations.

Georgian negotiator in the Swiss-mediated WTO talks with Moscow, Sergi Kapanadze, said on November 4, that an agreement had been reached with Russia and only technical issues are remaining, which should be settled in next five days.

“We have an agreement with Russia,” Sergi Kapanadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, said after talks in Geneva. “We are glad that they [the Russian side] finally were able to accept the final Swiss proposal. Initialing of the agreement will happen tomorrow in Geneva.”

He said that the text of the agreement “is the same”, which Georgia had accepted last week.

“We will have technical work remaining next week, but hopefully there will be no complications as we have agreement over the text now,” Kapanadze said.

He also said that next week the Swiss mediators would provide the text of the mandate that it would confer to a neutral private company.

According to the deal observers from a private company will be stationed at the both ends of so called "trade corridors", but not inside of these corridors, meaning that they will not be stationed inside the breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgian officials said last week, that trade corridors, which will be defined by their geographic coordinates not by names, lie through breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The monitoring will also involve Zemo Larsi-Kazbegi border crossing point, which is on the undisputed section of the Georgian-Russian border, outside the breakaway regions.

“We will also have to agree to the text of the contract that Georgia and Russia will sign with the monitors,” Sergi Kapanadze said.

He said that the agreement should be signed before November 10, when the formal meeting of the WTO working party on Russia’s accession is scheduled.

Negotiations on the accession of a new member to WTO are held within a working party, uniting countries that have unsettled trade issues with a candidate country. The meeting is expected to approve the Russia’s draft accession document, a voluminous report detailing conditions for joining the organization.

“We have also agreed to the text of the working party report on Russia’s accession, which relates its WTO related commitments to Georgia,” Kapanadze said.

Georgischer Unterhändler Sergi Kapanadze: 'Wir haben ein WTO-Abkommen mit Russland' - 04.10.2011, Civil Georgia

Georgian negotiator in the Swiss-mediated WTO talks with Moscow, Sergi Kapanadze, said on November 4, that an agreement had been reached with Russia and only technical issues are remaining, which should be settled in next five days.
“We have an agreement with Russia,” Sergi Kapanadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister, said after talks in Geneva. “We are glad that they [the Russian side] finally were able to accept the final Swiss proposal. Initialing of the agreement will happen tomorrow in Geneva.”
He said that the text of the agreement “is the same”, which Georgia had accepted last week.
“We will have technical work remaining next week, but hopefully there will be no complications as we have agreement over the text now,” Kapanadze said.
He also said that next week the Swiss mediators would provide the text of the mandate that it would confer to a neutral private company.
According to the deal observers from a private company will be stationed at the both ends of so called "trade corridors", but not inside of these corridors, meaning that they will not be stationed inside the breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgian officials said last week, that trade corridors, which will be defined by their geographic coordinates not by names, lie through breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The monitoring will also involve Zemo Larsi-Kazbegi border crossing point, which is on the undisputed section of the Georgian-Russian border, outside the breakaway regions.
“We will also have to agree to the text of the contract that Georgia and Russia will sign with the monitors,” Sergi Kapanadze said.
He said that the agreement should be signed before November 10, when the formal meeting of the WTO working party on Russia’s accession is scheduled.
Negotiations on the accession of a new member to WTO are held within a working party, uniting countries that have unsettled trade issues with a candidate country. The meeting is expected to approve the Russia’s draft accession document, a voluminous report detailing conditions for joining the organization.
“We have also agreed to the text of the working party report on Russia’s accession, which relates its WTO related commitments to Georgia,” Kapanadze said.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #

Resolution zur Okkupation im US-Senat verabschiedet

Resolution zur Okkupation im US-Senat verabschiedet - 30.07.2011, Civil Georgia
In der Resolution wird Georgiens territoriale Integrität unterstützt und Abchasien und Südosseten als "von Russland besetzte Regionen" anerkannt. ...

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http://www.civil.ge/files/files/2011/SenateResolution175.pdf

Calendar No. 113

112TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 175

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to ongoing violations of

the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and the importance

of a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict within Georgia’s internationally

recognized borders.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MAY 10, 2011

Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. KYL, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr.

CARDIN, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. CASEY, Mr. COCHRAN,

Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. KIRK, Mr. RUBIO, Mr. RISCH, Mr. LEVIN, Mr.

BARRASSO, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. MENENDEZ, and Mr. COONS) submitted the

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

JULY 27, 2011

Reported by Mr. KERRY, without amendment

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to ongoing

violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of

Georgia and the importance of a peaceful and just resolution

to the conflict within Georgia’s internationally recognized

borders.

Whereas, since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has

been reaffirmed by the international community and 36

United Nations Security Council resolutions;

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2

•SRES 175 RS

Whereas the United States-Georgia Strategic Charter, signed

on January 9, 2009, underscores that ‘‘support for each

other’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and

inviolability of borders constitutes the foundation of our

bilateral relations’’;

Whereas, in October 2010, at the meeting of the United

States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, Secretary

of State Hillary Clinton stated, ‘‘The United

States will not waiver in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty

and territorial integrity.’’;

Whereas the White House released a fact sheet on July 24,

2010, calling for ‘‘Russia to end its occupation of the

Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia’’ and

for ‘‘a return of international observers to the two occupied

regions of Georgia’’;

Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Tbilisi in

July 2009 that the United States ‘‘will not recognize

Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states’’;

Whereas, according to the Government of Georgia’s ‘‘State

Strategy on Occupied Territories,’’ the Government of

Georgia has committed itself to a policy of peaceful engagement,

the protection of economic and human rights,

freedom of movement, and the preservation of cultural

heritage, language, and identity for the people of

Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

Whereas the August 2008 conflict between the Governments

of Russia and Georgia resulted in civilian and military

causalities, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial

integrity of Georgia, and large numbers of internally displaced

persons;

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•SRES 175 RS

Whereas large numbers of persons remain displaced as a result

of the August 2008 conflict as well as the earlier

conflicts of the 1990s;

Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement, agreed to

by the Governments of Russia and Georgia provides that

all troops of the Russian Federation shall be withdrawn

to pre-conflict positions;

Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire agreement provides

that free access shall be granted to organizations providing

humanitarian assistance in regions affected by violence

in August 2008;

Whereas the recognition by the Government of Russia of

Abkhazia and South Ossetia on August 26, 2008, was in

violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of

Georgia;

Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded in its World Report

2011 that ‘‘Russia continued to occupy Georgia’s breakaway

regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and

strengthened its military presence in the region by establishing

a military base and placing an advanced surfaceto-

air missile system in Abkhazia’’;

Whereas the parties have taken some constructive steps in recent

months, including the resumption of direct flights

between Russia and Georgia, Russian troop withdrawal

from the Georgian village of Perevi, and regular participation

in the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism;

Whereas these positive steps neither adequately address the

humanitarian situation on the ground nor constitute full

compliance with the terms of the August 2008 ceasefire

agreement;

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•SRES 175 RS

Whereas, on November 23, 2010, before the European Parliament,

Georgian President Saakashvili declared that

‘‘Georgia will never use force to restore its territorial integrity

and sovereignty’’;

Whereas Secretary of State Clinton stated in Tbilisi on July

5, 2010, ‘‘We continue to call for Russia to abide by the

August 2008 cease-fire commitment . . . including ending

the occupation and withdrawing Russian troops from

South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict positions.’’;

Whereas the Russian Federation blocked the extension of the

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

(OSCE) Mission to Georgia and the United Nations Observer

Mission in Georgia, forcing the missions to withdraw

from South Ossetia and Abkhazia;

Whereas troops of the Russian Federation stationed in

Abkhazia and South Ossetia continue to be present without

the consent of the Government of Georgia or a mandate

from the United Nations or other multilateral organizations;

Whereas, at the April 15, 2011, meeting in Berlin between

the foreign ministers of Georgia and NATO, Secretary of

State Clinton stated, ‘‘U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty

and territorial integrity remains steadfast. . . .

We share Georgian concerns regarding recent Russian

activities that can negatively affect regional stability.’’;

Whereas, on April 25–26, 2011, Foreign Minister of Russia

Sergei Lavrov made a high-profile visit to Abkhazia and

South Ossetia, which was immediately criticized by the

Department of State as ‘‘inconsistent with the principle

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•SRES 175 RS

of territorial integrity and Georgia’s internationally recognized

borders’’;

Whereas the Senate supports United States efforts to develop

a productive relationship with the Russian Federation in

areas of mutual interest, including non-proliferation and

arms control, cooperation concerning the failure of the

Government of Iran to meet its international obligations

with regard to its nuclear programs, counter-terrorism,

Afghanistan, anti-piracy, and economics and trade; and

Whereas the Senate agrees that these efforts must not compromise

longstanding United States policy or United

States support for its allies and partners worldwide: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate—

2 (1) affirms that it is the policy of the United

3 States to support the sovereignty, independence, and

4 territorial integrity of Georgia and the inviolability

5 of its borders, and to recognize Abkhazia and South

6 Ossetia as regions of Georgia occupied by the Rus7

sian Federation;

8 (2) calls upon the Government of Russia to

9 take steps to fulfill all the terms and conditions of

10 the 2008 ceasefire agreements between Georgia and

11 Russia, including returning military forces to pre12

war positions and ensuring access to international

13 humanitarian aid to all those affected by the con14

flict;

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•SRES 175 RS

1 (3) urges the Government of Russia and the au2

thorities in control in the regions of South Ossetia

3 and Abkhazia to allow for the full and dignified re4

turn of internally displaced persons and inter5

national missions to the territories of Abkhazia and

6 South Ossetia;

7 (4) supports peaceful, constructive engagement

8 and confidence-building measures between the Gov9

ernment of Georgia and the authorities in control in

10 South Ossetia and Abkhazia and encourages addi11

tional people-to-people contacts; and

12 (5) affirms that finding a peaceful resolution to

13 the conflict is a key priority for the United States

14 in the Caucasus region and that lasting regional sta15

bility can only be achieved through peaceful means

16 and long-term diplomatic and political dialogue be17

tween all parties.

with BILLS

Calendar No. 113

112TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 175

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to

EU-Erweiterungskommissar Stefan Füle hält Rede auf der Batumi-Konferenz

EU-Erweiterungskommissar Stefan Füle hält Rede auf der Batumi-Konferenz - 22.07.2011, Civil Georgia
As prepared
8th International Conference on 'Georgia's European Way'
Batumi, Georgia, 22 July 2011
Mr President, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to be here in Batumi with you today. Batumi is a fine symbol of the great Georgian hospitality that I enjoy so much and remember so fondly from this same conference two years ago.
I am also happy to be here to discuss openly Georgia’s European way and its aspirations, needs and practices.
Let me first briefly present to you the main results of the European Neighbourhood Policy review. This can be summed up in four ideas: deep democracy, mutual accountability, conditionality and differentiation, or the "more for more" approach.
Through this renewed approach, the EU agrees to provide greater support to partners engaged in building deep and sustainable democracy, to boost inclusive economic development and to strengthen both the Eastern and the Southern dimensions of the ENP, in particular in the areas of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This increased support will depend on the willingness of partners to engage and their progress towards reforms.
There is a specific dimension of the European Neighbourhood Policy for the East - the Eastern Partnership that serves as the platform for engagement with Georgia and other neighbours in the Eastern parts of Europe.
How will this renewed approach be translated into the Eastern Partnership?
Within the limits of the time available, let me give you just four elements that I consider essential:
First, the Association Agreements: these are being negotiated with our Eastern partners and will remain the cornerstone of our relationship. However, in some cases, these far reaching and very complex agreements take a long time to negotiate. Under this renewed policy, we will need to identify tools that will allow us to bridge these long periods and intensify engagement with our partners.
Second, Civil Society and its role in pursuing the goals of the Eastern Partnership. The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and its National Platforms are essential to promote the Eastern Partnership’s values, and we should strengthen their involvement. I am personally committed to additional support being provided to civil society in partner countries. For this purpose, we intend to establish a Civil Society Facility and a European Endowment for Democracy, in order to consolidate the role of civil society actors, including those which have not been able to benefit from EU support so far. I will also encourage the EU delegations in partner countries to launch a structured political dialogue with National Platforms.
Third, conflicts: comprehensive and concerted use of the whole toolbox that is now at the EU's disposal will allow us to contribute meaningfully to the resolution of protracted conflicts existing in Eastern Partnership countries.
Fourth, enhanced regional cooperation: it was actually President Saakashvili who had inspired us to seriously consider developping a forum for regular interaction between Eastern Partnership countries and the EU at the appropriate level and on a wide range of issues, creating a better connection between bilateral and multilateral tracks of the Eastern Partnership.
The greatest challenge now lies in the implementation of this ambitious renewed policy. We will look into how we jointly – and I underline the word "jointly" - implement it at the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw. And I will be looking forward to our fruitful discussion there to which this conference is a prelude.
Let me now turn to the specific case of Georgia, and its European way.
Georgia has made its choice for closer integration with the European Union. The relationship between Georgia and the EU is gradually developing into a close, strong and dynamic partnership based on clear common objectives. Good progress has been made on negotiations for the Association Agreement. We need to move forward towards free trade and more freedom of movement. None of this is easy and many technical difficulties need to be solved before the objectives can become reality.
But this European choice is above anything the choice of adherence to the universal values of democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law. In this respect, Georgia has already embarked on a solid path of reform and has made impressive progress since the Rose Revolution in 2003.
However, there is much still to be done.
Democracy in Georgia needs to be consolidated. There needs to be a clear system of checks and balances. There needs to be a more tolerant and pluralistic political culture.
What happened in May in Tbilisi during the protest rally must never happen again. I know an investigation into these events has been conducted but I believe further investigation into these events is needed to ensure that those responsible for excessive use of force and losses of human lives are held accountable for any eventual wrong doings.
Furthermore, democracy in Georgia needs to be more inclusive. Next year's parliamentary elections and the 2013 presidential elections demand a level playing field to be truly successful. These elections will be important test cases for Georgian democracy. In the meantime, all the political forces and also civil society representatives should engage together on the reform of the electoral system.
The other fundamental foundation for democratic development is the independence of justice. Political influence over the judicial system cannot be tolerated anywhere and this is something the European Union monitors closely, and here also I believe there is room for improvement in Georgia.
Second, let me continue to what remains to be done at a socio-economic level.
Batumi is a great example of how Georgia is developing swiftly. However, I believe there is another Georgia beyond the splendid boulevards of Batumi. A Georgia that needs sustainable growth. A Georgia that needs to reduce social and regional inequalities. A Georgia that needs to create jobs for its workers and higher standards of living for its people. This is the European way. If Georgia seriously chooses to pursue this way, it needs to undergo very comprehensive and resolute reforms. But at the end of this journey, there will be sustainable, balanced and long term development for everyone.
The last element that I would like to emphasise here is conflict resolution. The European Union’s position on this is well known. We support the security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. We will continue to oppose border changes brought about through use of military force. We will continue to engage in conflict resolution through deploying the full range of our instruments (namely financial assistance, Geneva International discussions, the European Union Monitoring Mission and the soon-to-be-appointed new Special Representative). All these elements of support together provide for the security and stability of Georgia.
Georgia itself is engaging in the process. It plays a constructive role in the Geneva discussions. President Saakashvili made a non-use-of-force commitment in front of the European Parliament last November and we have all welcomed it.
However, in order to reach reconciliation, serious and genuine engagement with the communities of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is essential. The European Union and the international community can do their part, but it is mostly up to Georgia itself to find ways to build bridges. Isolation is no alternative. Georgia must show to these communities, now divided by conflict, that they are an integral part of Georgian society and will also benefit from closer political approximation and economic integration with the European Union. Let us do everything possible together so that people from both sides of the Administrative Border Line can again safely travel, trade and invest beyond that line. It is a way how to extend the benefits of European path to all communities, to all Georgians.
To conclude, let me confirm that I am a strong believer in Georgia’s European way, and in a democratic, prosperous and reunited Georgia. Sharing the universal values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Offering its citizens all the benefits of modern European society. It might not be an easy choice for this country - Georgia needs to balance its geopolitical interests. It might not be the easiest possible way, but let me assure you that the European way is the real route to political and economic stability for this country.
We are determined to work towards these goals, and we hope that together, as genuine partners, we can achieve them.
I look forward to today's discussions being fruitful, and many thanks to all those involved in organising the event – particularly my friend Gia Baramidze. Thank you for your attention.

Georgiens Ziel ist Europa - Georgia's European Goal

31.05.2011 | Euronews | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

Im Interview mit Präsident Saakashvili stellt Euronews-Reporter Alasdair Sandford Fragen zu den Protestkundgebungen, der Entwicklung Georgiens hin zum Westen und demokratischen Werten sowie zu den Betiehungen zum Nachbar Russland. The “Rose Revolution” of 2003 finally allowed Georgia to turn the page on the Soviet era: the country’s politics personified by one man. Since then, President Mikhail Saakashvili has won two elections and survived a war he started with Russia over Georgia’s breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Strategically important on the post-Cold War chessboard, Georgia’s goals to join the EU and NATO have amplified friction with Moscow. Last week domestic problems brought street demonstrations in Tbilisi, as protesters complained of poverty and accused Saakashvili of monopolising power. The West and human rights groups condemned the police use of force as “excessive”. Several days later, the atmosphere was very different when Mikhail Saakashvili spoke to euronews. The man who likes to be called “Misha” chose a public park for the location, near the presidential palace where he had hosted a dinner. ... Interview-Text ...

Stichworte: Georgien, Innenpolitik, Russland, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #

Georgien debattiert im Europaparlament

22.12.2011 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

In einer Resolution werden die signifikante Fortschritte Georgiens seit dem letzten Beobachterbericht 2008 begrüßt und das Engagement in den letzten zwölf Jahren seit Beitritt anerkannt.
Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) adopted on April 13 resolution on honoring commitments by Georgia, undertaken when the country jointed Council of Europe twelve years ago.
While welcoming “significant efforts” by the Georgian government in honouring its commitment and “considerable progress” achieved since the last monitoring report in 2008 despite the consequences of the August war, the resolution also outlines shortcomings in various areas.
The adoption of the resolution was preceded by debates on a report prepared by two co-rapporteurs on Georgia – Michael Jensen, a lawmaker from Denmark and Kastriot Islami, a lawmaker from Albania.
During the debates most of the speakers said that the report was “balanced” and, as one speaker said, the co-rapporteurs “managed to strike a middle ground” without underestimating progress or shortcomings.
The most of the criticism came from the Russian delegation, who said that the report was not fully reflecting the problems in Georgia, including one of “political prisoners”.
Sergei Markov, lawmaker from Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, said that the report “leaves mixed impression”; he said the report was not about “real Georgia, where the opposition is suffering and is afraid, where the TV channels are under the government’s control.”
MP Konstantin Kosachev, who leads the Russian delegation at PACE, said that Russia would be sincerely pleased with the Georgian people’s successes, because Russia considers Georgian people “as friends.” Kosachev said that while now everyone were expressing concern about developments in Libya, “we have to bear in mind that President Saakashvili tried to act very much the same against his own people” in August, 2008.
“While comparing to Gaddafi maybe you can recall Chechnya,” Akaki Minashvili, a senior Georgian lawmaker responded during the debates. “While [speaking about] political prisoners maybe you can recall Khadarkovsky; while speaking about friendship – we know what your friendship is; your friendship is expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Georgians from Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”
The resolution, which in overall was welcomed by the Georgian delegation, praises the Georgian authorities for taking initiatives “to overcome the polarisation and confrontational atmosphere that has regrettably dominated the political landscape”, as well as efforts “to strengthen the position and role of the opposition.”
The resolution says that the 2012 parliamentary and 2013 presidential elections “will be the litmus test” and calls on the political parties to agree on “election system that can muster the full trust of all electoral stakeholders.”
While welcoming the major constitutional changes, which will go into force in late 2013, the resolution also calls on the Georgian authorities to take into consideration recommendations by Council of Europe’s advisory body, Venice Commission. In particular the resolution calls for revising procedures for non-confidence vote to the government so that to strengthen the powers of the Parliament in this process; it also calls for increasing the Parliament’s role in budgetary matters.
The resolution expresses concern over “the problems of the administration of justice that could endanger the principles of equal application of the law.”
“The Assembly calls upon the Georgian authorities to address these problems which, if left unaddressed, could undermine the considerable progress made by the authorities in the field of judicial reform and the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary,” the resolution reads.
The resolution also notes “the persistent allegations that high-level corruption has not been fully eradicated”. It says that complaints over excessive use of force by the police during the protests “do not seem to be effectively and systematically investigated.”
The resolution welcomes “political will” of the Georgian government to address the problem of overcrowding and inadequate living conditions in prisons. It says that growth of the prison population “is largely the result of the very strict, even sometimes disproportionate, mandatory sentencing guidelines, even for minor crimes” and because of consecutive sentencing rules.
While welcoming entry into force of the law on the prosecution service, the resolution also says that considerable powers given to the Minister of Justice to conduct personally the prosecution of high ranking officials, such as president and members of the government, should be abolished.
The resolution expresses “regret” that Georgia has not yet honored its commitment to sign the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and calls on Georgia to sign and ratify this Charter “without further delay.”
The resolution also expresses concern about “the manner in which IDPs were recently evicted from their residences in Tbilisi.” When during the debates this issue was raised by one of the speakers, a senior Georgian lawmaker Petre Tsiskarishvili responded: “I do not want you my dear colleagues to misinterpret the facts and call the resettlement process [of IDPs] ‘eviction’ or ‘throwing people out in the streets’.”

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #

US-Investor Donald Trump unterzeichnet Vertrag zur Entwicklung von zwei Bürotürmen im Wert von 300 Mio. USD

11.03.2011 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

U.S. real estate tycoon, Donald Trump, signed a deal at a ceremony in New York in presence of President Saakashvili, to develop two towers in Georgia with an estimated worth of up to USD 300 million.
Trump will license his name in Georgia and his company will manage the two properties, but so far he has no plans to put his own investment into the deal, The New York Times reported.
“We’ll decide whether or not we want to invest,” Trump said.
The Trump Organization, company in charge of Trump’s property development, will work in Georgia with the Silk Road Group, Georgian conglomerate with business interests in transportation, telecommunications, banking and real estate, to line up financing for the project and market the towers.
The planned projects involve the Trump Tower Tbilisi on Rose Revolution Square, a formerly Republic Square; another is the Trump Riviera in Batumi. Construction, which will be overseen by the Silk Road Group, is scheduled to start in 2013, The New York Times reported.
After the signing of the deal Donald Trump appeared at a joint news conference with President Saakashvili at the Trump Tower in Manhattan on a background of a large banner reading: “Trump Invests in Georgia”.
Trump praised Georgia and its leadership saying: “This is a country with amazing leadership.” Trump, who said was thinking about running for the U.S. President in 2012 more seriously now than ever, criticized the Obama administration and said he would decide whether to run or not by June.

Stichworte: Georgien, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #

US-Vizepräsident Biden in Moskau: Russland und USA sind über Georgien anderer Meinung

11.03.2011 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

"Es ist noch viel Arbeit zu erledigen, um unsere Sicherheitszusammenarbeut und Nähe zu verbessern." "Wir meinen, dass ein größeres Prinzip auf dem Spiel steht. Wie in bereits München 2009 gesagt, ... 'unsere Sichtweise wird bleiben, dass souveräne Staaten das Recht haben, ihre eigenen Entscheidungen zu treffen und ihre eigenen Allianzen zu wählen.' Und weiterhin: 'Wir werden anerkennen, dass irgendein Staat eine Einflusszone habe.' Und nahezu ohne Rücksicht auf die Schwierigkeit - wir unterstützen keinen Staat, welcher mit Gewalt veranlassen will, die Führschaft einer gewählten - demokratisch gewählten Einzelperson zu ändern."
“Genuine disagreement” remains between Russia and the United States over Georgia, U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, said while speaking at the State University in Moscow on March 10.
In his speech he spoke about the benefits Russia and the United States received in various areas two years after pressing “reset button”; he, however, also said that there “is still much work to be done to enhance our security cooperation and closeness”.
“We have a genuine disagreement not only with your [Russian] leadership but with the vast majority of the Russian people over Georgia,” Biden told the audience at the Moscow State University. “But there’s a larger principle at stake here in our view – and I want to be straightforward because if friends cannot be straightforward with friends, it really isn’t friendship based on mutual trust.”
“We think there’s a larger principle at stake here. As I said when I announced the reset at Munich [Security Conference in February, 2009] I said, ‘It will remain our view that sovereign states have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own alliances.’ And further: ‘We will not recognize any state having a sphere of influence.’ And almost regardless of the difficulty, we don't support any state deciding through force changing the leadership of an elected – democratically elected individual,” Biden said.
He said the U.S. had been working closely with Russia and Georgia “to reduce the threat of further conflict.”
“As a result, Georgia recently restated its commitment non-use of force, and commercial flights have resumed between Moscow and Tbilisi. But we must do more to assist those displaced by the 2008 conflict and enable normal travel and commerce to occur,” the U.S. Vice President added.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Sprache: deutsch, englisch, Archiv: #

Ausscheidender EU-Gesandter Peter Semneby äußert sich zu Georgien

21.02.2011 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

"Die nächsten Wahlen 2012/13 seien für die Reife der Demokratie in Georgien äußerst wichtig"
# 'Next elections crucial';
# 'Georgia is a better place now';
# 'Ruling party’s overwhelming dominance';
# Georgia’s regional role;
# Needs for 'qualitative change' in Russo-Georgian ties;
# On term 'occupied' – 'labeling not the most important'
Next elections, including parliamentary in 2012 and presidential in 2013, would be “crucial for the maturity of the Georgian democracy,” Peter Semneby, an outgoing EU’s Special Representative for South Caucasus, said on February 22 in Tbilisi.
“It is very important that the electoral legislature is agreed well beforehand [so] that it does not become part of the electoral campaign itself. Georgia needs to establish clear and stable rules of the game for the political competition between the parties,” Semneby said.
It was the Swedish diplomat’s last visit to Georgia in his capacity of the EU’s Special Representative, as his mandate on the post, which he held since 2006, expires on February 28.
The fate of the post is unclear yet as the discussions about the mandate of Special Representatives were still underway within EU, he said. “There certainly [will] be a gap before this discussion is concluded,” Semneby said.
Semneby, whose tenure coincided with Georgia’s several domestic political crises and the August war, said that it had been “a very challenging period” for Georgia.
“But I think Georgia is a better place now for many reasons, than it was in the beginning of my term in this job and not least thanks to the new stage that we have entered in relations between Georgia and the European Union with the start of negotiations on Association Agreement,” he said.
“I very strongly hope Georgia will take these negotiations [on Association Agreement] seriously and Georgia will approach these negotiations with diligence that they deserve, because it is in a close relations with EU that Georgia can find the best guarantees that are available for its sovereignty and security,” Semneby said.
Semneby, who acted for number of times as a facilitator between the Georgian authorities and the opposition during the internal political tensions, involving series of mass street protests in 2007-2009, said that those events “had ultimately healthy influence on the political discourse in general in Georgia.”
“They demonstrated by balancing on the brink, on many occasions, what limits are on the use of force as means in politics and I think Georgia is much healthier place after these events were successfully dealt with,” he said.
'Overwhelming Dominance of Ruling Party'
Semneby said that overwhelming dominance of the ruling National Movement Party in government branches was putting on the authorities a large degree of responsibility.
“The current governing party also needs to consider how it uses the overwhelming domination that it has at the moment – with the constitutional majority in the Parliament and control of all municipal councils in the country – in a responsible way in order to provide the oxygen for alternative political voices to be heard,” he said.
Asked to elaborate further on the issue, Semneby said that he was only making an observation that there was “quite an extraordinary situation” in Georgia with one political force being “in a very, very, exceptionally strong position” and “it puts a large degree of responsibility on the political force that has this kind of dominance.”
Georgia’s Regional Role and Russia
Semneby said that Georgia in many ways achieved progress that “goes beyond what has been achieved by other countries in the region.”
“It’s important to consider that for its international partners Georgia is important in regional context, not just by itself and Georgia therefore needs to make its own contribution to stability in this region,” he said.
“This also includes relations with Russia where we need to find way - Georgia’s partners are willing and I think able to help here – to do more in terms of improving those relations without compromising on existential positions, but nevertheless there needs to be a qualitative change in these relationships.”
“Realistically speaking it will take time to address all the conflict-related issues and in the meantime it will be necessary and important to improve and develop relations between Georgia and Russia even with such fundamental differences remaining,” Semneby said.
He said that apart of human aspect and restoring contacts between Russia and Georgia on “personal level”, there were “lots of practical issues” that needed to be dealt, including the one related to trade.
“If there is development of Georgian-Russian relations in a broader sense it may – I say ‘may’, it’s not absolutely certain that it would be the case – also improve conditions for resolving very difficult political issues that still remain between the two countries,” he said.
Abkhazia, S.Ossetia
Semneby, who has been involved in developing EU’s “engagement without recognition” approach towards Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, said that EU had “much more extensive and much more intensive” interaction with Sokhumi, than with Tskhinvali.
He said he had extensive discussions both in Tbilisi and Sokhumi about where the greatest opportunities for engagement were and “I would say that the area of healthcare would provide important opportunities for further engagement.”
Semneby said that many of the aspects of Tbilisi’s approach were mirroring those of the EU.
“We have welcomed many of the initiatives taken by the Georgian government and in particular the Action Plan” for Engagement, Semneby said referring to a document which was approved by the Georgian government in July, 2010 and which lays out steps for implementing goals outlined in Tbilisi’s Strategy on Occupied Territories.
“We believe it [the Action Plan for Engagement] contains very many interesting intentions that clearly mirror priorities and views of the European Union… We are obviously ready to make a contribution to supporting those parts of Georgian plan that are in line with our own policies and convictions,” Semneby said.
He said that Georgia needed international partners in order to facilitate reconciliation. “Georgia also needs to trust its international partners in this endeavor,” Semneby added.
Asked about his shunning away from using term “occupied territories” in reference to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Semneby said: “Labeling here is not the most important issue.”
“The fact is that we have conflict situation that needs to be dealt with in such a way that we ensure that certain objectives are fulfilled. We should focus on tasks here to rebuild contacts across the confrontation lines, we should address the humanitarian issues, security-related issues including fulfillment of the agreements that entered in August and September 2008,” he said.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #

In der Regierungserklärung bestimmt Präsident Saakashvili 2015 als neues Ziel zur Vollendung verschiedener Aufgaben

12.02.2011 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

President Saakashvili has set 2015 as a new target date for accomplishment of various tasks, which he laid out in his annual state of the nation address in the Parliament on February 11.
Among the targets listed by Saakashvili in his speech, which, he said, should be achieved by 2015 were: doubling agriculture production; doubling export; doubling state budget; halving current level of unemployment; 50% increase of average salaries; population growth to 5 million; increase of annual number of foreign visitors to 5 million; building of 17 new hydro power plants.
“You have probably noticed that while speaking about various issues I have numerously mentioned the year 2015,” said Saakashvili, who previously was often mentioning 2013 as a target date for accomplishment of his major tasks.
Saakashvili, whose second and final presidential term expires in 2013, said that 2015 was defined based on “long-term plan of Georgia’s development” and it had nothing to do “either with the election dates or political careers of separate individuals or the term in office of the sitting Parliament”, which expires in 2012.
“Instead it [the target date - 2015] matches with what is important for the country. People should know where we are going; our course will definitely continue,” Saakashvili said. He said for number of times in the past that he wanted “a team of reformers” to stay in power after his presidential term expires.
“Everything what we are talking about will be started in 2012-2013... Everything will be accomplished in 2015.”
“Therefore, 2015 will be the year of summarizing the first results of this plan. Our plan is based on the capabilities of Georgia, as well as on the existing dynamics of the course of reforms, real human and material resources and ongoing projects. The plan of Georgia’s development covers all the major sectors of economy and all major spheres of state activities,” Saakashvili said.
‘Modernization’
Saakashvili described his 70-minute long address as “a report about modernization.”
“Modernization will be one of the major results and tasks of the government’s and personally of my entire career,” Saakashvili said.
“For some people modernization may be a mere word, but for us it means transforming Georgia from a post-Soviet country into European democratic state, which will be the fastest growing country in Europe.”
“Modernization means to ensure that our citizen is more educated, more competitive, has modern knowledge and feels himself as a Georgian patriot, but simultaneously as a citizen of the world, a free person, for whom all opportunities are open, who do not suffer from an inferiority complex; low self-esteem and inferiority – these are what enabled the empire to try to subdue Georgia. As soon as we finally get rid of this inferiority complex, nobody will ever be able to enslave us again. And this is very important.”
“Modernization means reforms which have been implemented and will be implemented by the state and which will lead us to more civilized and democratic state. It means changes and innovations, which will pave the way towards more open and modern society – the society, which will not retire into its own shell, which does not have any phobias, which is multi-ethnic and multi-confessional, wherein each community is an integral part of the Georgian nation; the society, which aspires to the future instead of weeping for the past, which consists of free people with free thinking and free rule of life.”
Modernization means Georgia of such mentality, where politicians and society will be united like a fist to defend the interests of the country even if there are great ideological and political differences among them. Georgia, where criminal mentality will never return, where ethnic and regional divisions will never return, where corruption will never gain its foothold means Georgia, where the liberty of an individual is the cornerstone of the country and which will gain a worthy place in the international system as a sovereign, united and very successful state and not a single empire will ever be able to question its existence.”
“We will spare no efforts in the struggle for Georgia’s modernization… We will overcome all the obstacles and all the difficulties because we will be moving only forward, we will bring our struggle to the end and we will definitely win,” Saakashvili said.
Foreign Policy
On foreign policy issues Saakashvili said that Georgia achieved “significant diplomatic success last year”, because the term “occupation” in reference of Abkhazia and South Ossetia was establishing on the international arena.
“Today there is no longer a question mark about on whose side the international community is,” he said. “The entire world sees who is aggressor and who is in favor of the peace.”
On Russia he said that Georgia “wants a dialogue” with Moscow, “but we will never tolerate disintegration and occupation of Georgia.”
“The Russian leadership’s course has no future,” he said. “The idea of empire is still alive, but it has no future.”
He also said that “imperialistic thinking is waning” and added: “We are nearing the period when the imperialistic thinking will be faded away.”
“But I want to say, that we should be careful, so that to escape being a victim of the empire’s agony,” Saakashvili said.
He also said that Georgia’s course towards EU and NATO integration remained “unwavering” and attempts by Russia to isolate Georgia had “failed”. “We will never give up the choice of the Georgian people in favor of the Euro-Atlantic integration,” Saakashvili said.
For some other key points from Saakashvili's address see:
GEL 150 mln Extra Funding Planned for Agriculture
Gov’t Plans 'GEL 30 Food Coupons'
Saakashvili Aims Free Trade Treaty with EU by 2015
Debates
After the address Saakashvili listened to rebuttal speeches by parliamentary minority lawmakers and remarks by the ruling party MPs. Before start of his address, Saakashvili asked the foreign diplomats accredited in Tbilisi, and present in the Parliament chamber, to stay and attend the debates as well.
After the debates, which lasted for about four hours, Saakashvili thanked diplomats, remaining in the chamber for “patience” saying that the debates “demonstrated how far the Georgian democracy has gone”.
MP Giorgi Targamadze, leader of Christian-Democratic Movement and of parliamentary minority group, said in his rebuttal speech told the President to foster improvement of the electoral environment otherwise warned that Saakashvili would face, as he put it, “Mubarakization”. MP Targamadze was referring to Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak, who resigned on February 11 after 18 days of mass protest.
MP Targamadze slammed the President for creating “genetically modified media” and “semi-manufactured judiciary”. He also said that President was at top of “corruption pyramid” and added that removing a section of presidential orders from his official website was part of the authorities’ attempts to hide information about where public money was spent.
For couple of times President Saakashvili intervened in opposition lawmakers’ speeches; in one such case he interrupted MP Levan Vepkhvadze of the Christian-Democratic Movement when the latter was criticizing the government for entering in “unprofitable” five-year gas deal with Azerbaijan in 2008, claiming that Georgia had a chance to buy gas for a better price from Azerbaijan under the Shah-Deniz gas pipeline deal. When saying this, Saakashvili pressed MP Vepkhvadze to name any European country which was buying gas for lower price than Georgia. When the MP responded that European countries were receiving expensive gas because they were buying it from Russia, Saakashvili smiled sarcastically.
A lawmaker from the ruling party, Giorgi Gabashvili, said in his remarks that there were two types of opposition in Georgia – “insane and incompetent.” “You are among incompetents,” MP Gabashvili told lawmakers from the Christian-Democratic Movement.
‘Elite Corruption’
When MP Guram Chakhvadze of National-Democratic Party, part of the parliamentary minority group, criticized the government for “elite corruption”, Saakashvili asked him that “the political elite is now here… name who is corrupt”. PM Nika Gilauri and several ministers were also present in the chamber apart of lawmakers. MP Chakhvadze responded that he did not mean the President or ministers when speaking about elite corruption. He said that the Freedom House was also using this term – elite corruption in reference to Georgia and added that he was meaning those mid-level officials who had been arrested on corruption charges in Georgia.
“Someone, somewhere is bullshitting – it does not matter; we live in this country and everyone knows everything about everyone… The Georgian political elite is very clean… This is the major achievement of our state,” Saakashvili said.
MP Chakhvadze then backed off and said: “Let’s put it this way – a mid-level elite corruption.”
According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2009 human rights report, although levels of petty corruption fell in Georgia, concerns remained about high-level and "elite corruption."

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #

Civil Georgia im Gespräch mit den drei Beisitzern der Genfer Gespräche: 'Neuer Kontext' für Genfer Gespräche

22.12.2010 | Civil.ge | Link zur Quelle | Bilder | Video |

• 'Non-Use of force pledge in package with int'l security guarantees';
• 'We can cautiously be optimistic';
• 'Flexible informal framework';
• 'Optimistic about OSCE mission’s return in the long run';

Georgia's unilateral declaration on non-use of force creates "new context", which can serve to further progress in Geneva Discussions, co-chairs of the talks, launched two months after the August war, say.

The three co-chairs of the Geneva discussions, Pierre Morel of EU, Antti Turunen of UN and Bolat Nurgaliyev, the special envoy of outgoing Kazakh OSCE chairmanship, spoke on December 7 with Civil.ge about the implications non-use of force pledge may have on the Geneva discussions, as well as about the prospects of restoration of OSCE mission in Georgia.

The diplomats were in Tbilisi after talks in Moscow and also visited Tskhinvali and Sokhumi in run up to fourteenth round of Geneva talks planned for December 16.

The following is a transcript of the interview:

Q.: President Saakashvili made unilateral pledge on non-use of force on November 23, later reiterated at the OSCE Astana summit. It was then followed by response from Tskhinvali, Sokhumi and Moscow. This has long been one of the key issues in Geneva Discussions with the participants failing to achieve an agreement. What practical meaning this declaration may have on talks in Geneva and do you think it may be the sign of any breakthrough?

Pierre Morel: We have taken note and we are not making statement speaking of a breakthrough. But what is clear is that it is the main subject on which we've been working for this year. We had plenty of other subjects, but this question of non-use of force and international security arrangements has been the matter we have tried to work very methodically - reviewing different options, getting proposals, comparing proposals, seeing the pros and cons of different formulas. So, we think that this work in Geneva, however modest, has helped to clarify ideas and has led participants [of the Geneva Discussions] to take the initiative, and indeed the statement by President Saakashvili is an important initiative. It is interesting to see that it led the other participants [of the Geneva Discussions] to react positively and we have now an expanded base for our work. Of course, all this is taking place just few days before the Geneva session, and this will be very much in the center of the next session.

Q.: If there is an agreement between the participants on this issue, it seems that one of the major controversies in the Geneva discussions will be removed.

Pierre Morel: Yes, but we've learnt to be careful. It is very clear that there are different types, modalities of statement and declaration. Therefore, you have different approaches to the statement on non-use of force. We have to be precise and to see where there is convergence and where there is divergence. This is part of our work and we must progress on this important subject in full clarity.

All the elements of the text of the statement of President Saakashvili are not exactly the way they might have been expected from other participants. But we have clear points of legal nature in this pledge. This is very important: I mean this is connected to international law, and now, in a written form. The modalities of the statement of President Saakashvili will be a matter of discussion, no doubt.

One year ago, this kind of approach was considered by some as just impossible; now we have moved. I also need to recall that, for some participants, the initial line was to say that there is a need for an agreement and that a statement was not enough; but it was also recognized by them that a statement would be a good start. That's where we have to do our further work. Frankly, we have been confronted with a lot of skepticism on this subject; some would say one year ago that we were embarking into some kind of philosophical consideration; no, we have tried to pin down what were the possibilities, the limitations, the opportunities, and we have been working with all the options. This is the approach of the Geneva Discussions.

‘We Can Cautiously Be Optimistic’

Antti Turunen: With his [President Saakashvili's] statement and inputs from Sukhumi and Tskhinvali we now have the material and we can say that the process is [moving] in right direction with this material we have and we can cautiously be optimistic. There is a feeling, that all the participants agree now that the Geneva Discussions are the right format and it's the only format where these issues are discussed. In that sense we have achieved a lot and secondly we have also achieved the full functioning of the IPRM [Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism] - both of these mechanisms, not only the Gali mechanism [referring to regular meetings held in Gali, breakaway Abkhazia], but also the Ergneti mechanism [referring to regular meetings in frames of IPRM held in a village on the administrative border of breakaway South Ossetia] - are positive steps forward.

I think we have all chances and also challenges to take the next step forward and try to formulate something, which is common, not only individual statements.

Q.: Mr. Morel said, while speaking about President Saakashvili's declaration, that it might not be what others expected; it seems there are still disagreements about the form of this non-use of force declaration. One of the recent proposals put forth by Russia was, that if the parties fail to agree on signing a legally binding agreements on non-use of force, then let them separately make unilateral, individual declarations on non-use of force. Georgia's unilateral declaration is very much similar to what Russia has been proposing...

Pierre Morel: Yes, indeed. We have said that we have had different proposals; this was the base of the work of the co-chairs. Indeed, it can be the first step, and some also would argue that it should lead to an agreement - but an agreement between whom and whom and a statement from which participant of the discussions? So we have clearly taken a new step; we must assess where we are and, once again, [assess] what is now possible.

Last year, the participants in Geneva [Discussions] were discussing ideas, launching proposals and counter-proposals... One year later, after this useful work, we have statements, including the formal one made by Georgian head of state in a prestigious place [European Parliament], confirming to major international interlocutors his position; we have Foreign Ministry reaction in Russia; we have inputs from Sukhumi and from Tskhinvali; so we have now a new context. This deserves further analysis.

Q.: Judging from the Russian leadership's statements, Moscow is not going to make any such declaration on non-use of force as it considers itself a mediator and not a party into the conflict. Is this one of the reasons of your cautious stance?

Pierre Morel: This is a matter of discussion already [since] the last year. We continue to look after this dimension. We were discussing that in a context of drafts put on table between the participants; now we have new developments, which have taken place on the international level with the legal dimension. So let's reconsider this point further.

Antti Turunen: Both the substance and the format - everything is to be discussed; the format [is] also including possible guarantees of international security arrangements - all this is part of the package. We are just approaching this with cautious steps, and let's see how it functions.

'Non-Use of Force Pledge and Int'l Security Guarantees Should Go Hand in Hand'

Q.: You mentioned international security guarantees. The document, which the co-chairs have developed known as "basic elements of a framework for an agreement on the non-use of force and international security arrangements", is this something in which you tried to combine the key positions of the participants - on the one hand calls for non-use of force and on the other - Tbilisi's insistence on creating international security guarantees in the breakaway regions?

Pierre Morel: This is how you start; when you have different points of view and you have people seating around the table, looking for means to improve security - let's identify all the options; so, you first have to do a checklist in order to review all the dimensions. In this deepening of the discussion, we have stressed, again and again, with all the participants, that if you want to work on non-use of force, you have also to work on the international security arrangements, which are connected with non-use of force.

Non-use of force is not the kind of concept which is floating in the air. This is something related to concrete situations, which implies rules of behavior and guarantees and consequences on the ground. Otherwise, why should one enter into this complex exercise? This is meant to improve real security; therefore, as soon as you begin to work on this legal and commitment dimensions, you must look at the guarantees and modalities.

So we have always spoken of "non-use of force and international security arrangements". If partners, interlocutors are ready to commit themselves, they also look into the modalities in which this can be secured and can be prevented from non-compliance or failure.

Q.: So these two – non-use of force and international security guarantees - go hand in hand.

Pierre Morel: Yes, exactly.

‘Flexible Informal Framework’

Q.: Who are the mediators in the Geneva discussions?

Pierre Morel: Well, let's not be trapped by the words, this would be my first reaction.

As you know, the Geneva discussions started on October 15, 2008 - two months after the war. That was part of August 12 agreement and complementary arrangements of September 8. We started from scratch in the sense that Georgia has withdrawn from the former Moscow and Sochi agreements; therefore, we had no real precedents. We started in a new context and we had therefore to elaborate our framework. Thus, we shaped this formula of co-chairs, which is linking the three organizations [UN, OSCE, EU]. Since the start, we have been working the same way, shaping further our system.

As a part of this mission, we have paid regular visits to all participants, and you can call this a mediation role. But, usually, when you look at international norms, it is done within certain rules or under the aegis of one organization or with a formal agreement between the different parties to the conflict. We have not gone through too many procedural steps. We've had guidelines, and our mandate is based on the August 12 agreement. With the consent of all the participants in this rather flexible informal framework of the Geneva Discussions, we have tried to push as far as possible the work. There are about 60 people meeting every two months. Work is going on between the sessions, we do not stop [between them], this is our rule as co-chairs; our respective teams are constantly involved and this is what we have elaborated.

We will not put ourselves into some kind of specific category, because we keep this informal character; it's called Geneva Discussions, it's not negotiations. So in that respect, I understand your need to qualify things more precisely...

Q.: I'm asking this because Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said just recently "Russia, US, EU, OSCE and UN act there as mediators"...

Pierre Morel: We would not enter into this kind of characterization. We start from what we have - the mission we have received - and we try to push it as far as possible.

Antti Turunen: This process itself hopefully will really create some kind of peace reconciliation, that's of course our dream and aim. But at the moment we try to do step-by-step, facilitating the discussions that we have in Geneva and it's the only forum for all the participants and it is important achievement in itself and now we are taking cautiously steps forward and hopefully we can keep making progress.

Pierre Morel: In other words, we do not have full-fledged, structured system from the beginning. It was rather specific base from which we try to extract the maximum. We have had some results already and some positive impacts on the ground, together with EUMM [EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia] and with the work we have been doing between the sessions; this represents certain dynamism, we are there to further the process, as far as we can.

‘Optimistic about OSCE mission’s return in the long run’

Q.: OSCE Summit in Astana adopted a Commemorative Declaration, but failed to adopt a comprehensive action plan with unresolved conflicts representing key stumbling block. Can you identify briefly what was the controversy particularly in respect of Georgia?

Bolat Nurgaliyev: The major controversies were around the status issue of the two entities - South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Insistence that the fragment on protected conflicts should be titled 'Conflict in Georgia' was not receiving consensus among the participating states; that prevented us from putting [that fragment] in the text; otherwise, other aspects [were] agreed including to proceed [with the work] within the framework of the Geneva International Discussions.

But I have to remind that the concluding part of the Declaration contains instruction to the incoming chairmanship of the OSCE to proceed working on the Action Plan taking into consideration what has already been discussed during preparation of the summit, plus the proposals and specific ideas, which were put forward during the summit and in the speeches of heads of government and heads of state.

Q.: There have been calls by number of western leaders at the Astana summit for re-establishment of the OSCE mission in Georgia. The previous, OSCE Greek chairmanship in 2009, was putting forth proposal in this respect. What were the Kazakh chairmanship’s efforts in this regard, what kind of proposals, if any, have been discussed and do you foresee any progress in this regard?

Bolat Nurgaliyev: Of course we were very keen to ensure the continuity of the preceding efforts and we picked from where our Greek colleagues left that particular set of issues - it's not just one issue, it's also the essence of what the mission of the OSCE should be doing in the region.

We were trying to adjust ideas put forward by different participants. For example: something is not acceptable to all the sides, then what about this, what about that - and this took quite a long time, because [during] each occasion we had the request for timeout for consideration of fresh proposals.

But I think, more or less, the formula on which we will be proceeding to concentrate our efforts - Kazakhstan being the member of "OSCE Troika", will also be providing its own input, but now the leading role will be passed to the Lithuanian chairmanship - this way or other way, I am pretty optimistic that we will have an OSCE presence. But, of course, that will need further tries and in the long run I am sure that we will restore a meaningful and useful presence of the OSCE, which will continue to play its role in the Geneva International Discussions, as well as its engagement in implementation of specific projects, which were discussed yesterday here in Tbilisi and today in Tskhinvali.

Q.: You said you are optimistic about restoration of OSCE presence in Georgia; what is this optimism based on?

Bolat Nurgaliyev: I've never heard that there is no need for that [mission in Georgia] and the acceptance of the projects that we are discussing, which have a direct bearing on everyday life of population of the region is the proof that we will be definitely having a field mission. But how it is going to be, on what footing - that is subject of further deliberation; the matter in principle is accepted; the devil is in details, but these details, I am sure, will be worked out.

Q.: There have been talks on launch of EU-funded and OSCE-implemented rehabilitation project in breakaway South Ossetia [if launched it will be the first of this kind since the August, 2008 war], involving repair works on Zonkari dam. Are there any tangible signs that this project will be launched?

Bolat Nurgaliyev: Yes, we strongly hope that it's going to be this way, because there were some technical issues, which we had to clear; we seem to have come to understanding. Money is there, the technical feasibility has been studied. Now it's a matter of signing the contract and starting actual work. We were insisting that it should start as soon as possible given the winter’s coming and if it is snowing, maybe, there will be a delay, but that will be a delay caused by force majeure.

Stichworte: Georgien, Abchasien, Süd-Ossetien, Russland, Krieg-2008, Genfer Gespräche - Sprache: englisch, Archiv: #