Georgia's new authorities announced their intention to cooperate with the authorities of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia. This has been declared at the briefing in Tskhinval by the OSCE spokesman - the future co-chair of the Geneva discussions Andriy Deshitsiya.
"Yesterday we met with the new representative of the Georgian side, who announced the intention to continue working in the format of the Geneva discussions, as well as to cooperate with the authorities of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia", - said Deshitsiya.
According to him, the meeting also dealt with the possible steps to strengthen security and stability in the region.
"This does not only eliminate the risk of resumption of military conflict, but also all sorts of violence. We believe that this year we have a good opportunity for transformation of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict,"- said the OSCE representative.
According to him, the Co-Chairs of the Geneva format have offered the participants do not dwell on the fundamental question of the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and focus on ensuring security.
"It takes time to have new positive concept", - said the co-chairman.
Deshitsiya also told about yesterday's trip of the co-chairs to Leningor district of South Ossetia.
"One of the elements that we analyze is the question of freedom of movement, - he said. - A lot of people of Georgian origin and many displaced persons live in Leningor district; some of them often cross the administrative line. Therefore, Leningor district is of great interest to us and we try to visit it every year. "
According to Deshitsiya, the resumption of free movement across the border between South Ossetia and Georgia is important for the population in border areas of both countries, as well as for the international community.
In addition, Andriy Deshitsiya noted some positive changes in Leningor district.
"The local administration has shown us what is being done in socio-economic sphere. We saw the reconstruction and building of cultural and educational facilities. In short, everything is being done to restore the normal life of the population, "- he stressed.
In turn, the head of the South Ossetian delegation, Presidential Envoy for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev has recalled that the issue of gas supply resumption in Leningor district was not resolved so far.
"This issue is raised at all meetings of the Geneva Discussions and MPRI, but for political reasons it is not solved yet. If the Georgian authorities do not agree to this commercial contact, we will solve the problem of gas supply, as we have already solved the problems of power supply, transportation and other social issues in Leningor district "- said Dzhioev.
He noted that yesterday the delegation had inspected the situation in Leningor district, the living conditions of the local population, as well as the issues of crossing the border between South Ossetia and Georgia.
"The Georgian side repeatedly states that the inhabitants of Leningor district want to be with Georgia, but, allegedly, the South Ossetian authorities force them to talk differently. Yesterday we saw the conditions of living together and co-education of the Georgian and Ossetian children. The co-chairs were pleasantly surprised by peaceful and good-neighborly relations between Ossetians and Georgians ", - said the envoy.
He also said that during the visit, the co-chairs had discussed the issues of the agenda of the next round of the Geneva discussions.
"Today we were talking about specific issues that are within the mandate of discussions - about security. We emphasized the need to accelerate the work on a legally binding agreement of non-use of force, discussed the search for the missing people, "- said Dzhioev.
The Envoy expressed hope that the new Georgian leadership would assist in determining the fate of the missing citizens of South Ossetia.
"Moreover, the Georgian side has promised to release some of our citizens, detained in Georgia, but this issue is still not resolved. In resolving this issue, we rely on the new leadership of Georgia ", - he added.
The next round of the Geneva talks is scheduled for December 11-12.
