"The statement by the acting Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze that Georgia would not sign an agreement on non-use of force with Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the sign of continuing last years" policy of Georgia", said Murat Djioev, the RCO Foreign Minister.
According to him, "even before the August event we have raised the issue at the level of international organization on the necessity to influence Georgia to sign an Memorandum on non-use of force. Georgia had refused to do so due to obvious preparations for August aggression against South Osseti", stressed Djioev, adding that "today after the August hostilities, South Ossetia had repeatedly stated the necessity sign an agreement or a memorandum on non-use of force. This had been voiced in the address to the Parliament and people by the President of the RSO of 26 December 2008."
"South Ossetia is ready to build up friendly neighbor relations with Georgia and expects Georgia"s pragmatic approach and the only right decision of recognition of RSO"s independence, as well as signing of agreement on non-use of force in the course of establishment of bilateral relations, " he said. "However, the authorities of Georgia and the forces behind them are not ready to do so and this, of course, causes our concern. This needs thorough discussion by international agencies, which had undertaken the commitment to guarantee the implementation of Medvedev-Sarkozy plan. I believe that the statement by Grigol Vashadze needs close attention and immediate measures to prevent a new war in the Caucasus.," added the Minister.
As it is known, the acting Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze stated 3 February that Georgia would not be the first to sign the non-use of force agreement with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the way it has been demanded by Russia.
