Irakli Alasania stated at the press conference held at the UN that the resolution reflected all the important issues voiced by the Georgian side among them are IDPs’ fundamental right to return and their right of property.
According to the information of Irakli Alasania, the majority of the members of the UN Security Council support the proposal voiced by the President of Georgia to review the entire peace process in Abkhazia.
Irakli Alasania also admitted that Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, supported the aforementioned idea.
The UN Security Council has adopted its sequential resolution on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia and extended mandate of the of the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) for a new period terminating on April 15 2008.
The UNSC reaffirms the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. In this context, the UNSC expresses its support for the principles contained in the so-called “Boden document” that imply distribution of competencies between Tbilisi and Sokhumi within the Georgian State.
At the same time, it is notable that the UNSC calls upon the parties for further increase their bilateral contacts by making full use of all existing mechanisms in order to come to a peaceful settlement, including the safe and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Prime-News was told at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia that according to the aforementioned Resolution, the UNSC reaffirms the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. In this context, the UNSC expresses its support for the principles contained in the so-called “Boden document” that imply distribution of competencies between Tbilisi and Sokhumi within the Georgian State.
At the same time, it is notable that the UNSC calls upon the parties for further increase their bilateral contacts by making full use of all existing mechanisms in order to come to a peaceful settlement, including the safe and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
“The UNSC stresses the need for a perspective of life in security and dignity for IDPs and refugees in Abkhazia, Georgia, in particular for a new generation growing up outside the region. It reaffirms fundamentally the right of return for the refugees/IDPs to their homes and property in Abkhazia, Georgia,” declare at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
It should be particularly mentioned that, due to efforts of the full majority of Group of Friends, for the first time the UNSC resolution contains provisions according to which individual property rights may not be affected by the fact that owners had to flee during the conflict and the residency rights and the identity of those owners must be respected.
The UNSC expressed its serious concern over the incident that took place Abkhazia, Georgia on 11 March and 20 September 2007. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the Council once again called on Abkhazian side to exercise restraint in connection with the Georgian commitments with regard to Upper Abkhazia.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgia reaffirms its readiness to continue cooperation with the UNOMIG and with representatives of the UN Secretary General’s Group of Friends in this regard, and supports the settlement of conflicts only by peaceful means. In order to reach this goal, the Georgian side reiterates its readiness to conduct, without any preconditions, direct bilateral negotiations with the Abkhazian side.
“The Georgian side’s position is that the UNSC has adopted a well-balanced document which adequately reflects the current situation in Abkhazia, Georgia and the basic principles for the peaceful settlement of the conflict – territorial integrity of Georgia and the return of IDPs and refugees in safety and dignity. Resolution reflects all issue put forward by Georgian side namely by the President of Georgia, Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Minister for conflict resolution in their consultations at the UN,” reads the statement disseminated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Along with the resolution, UNSC consultations encompassed discussions on issue of Comprehensive Review of Settlement Process in Abkhazia, Georgia. Majority of council members shared the initiative presented by President of Georgia in September at the UN General Assembly General Debate, which later was detailed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in his follow up meetings with the UN officials.