Georgia, Tbilisi, Nov. 1 / Trend , N.Kirtskhalia /
Switzerland will act as a third party in the Georgian-Russian agreement on Russia's joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), Head of the Georgian delegation and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergi Kapanadze told the Rustavi-2 television channel today.
He said this issue was discussed during yesterday's meeting between Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey and Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili in Batumi.
"Switzerland is ready to become the third party in the Georgian-Russian agreement on the WTO and foreign observers will operate at the Georgian-Russian border under the auspices of Switzerland. The Calmy-Rey - Saakashvili talks clarified who will be the third party to the agreement, which is a significant component. This third country, under which international observers will operate, is Switzerland," Kapanadze said.
Previously, it was assumed that the European Union will be the third party to this agreement.
Kapanadze denied rumors that allegedly some changes that meet Russia's interests have been made to the document in the last few days. He said the document kept unchanged.
Meanwhile, the Russian side asked for postponement on a final decision on the Swiss initiative. The latest round of talks will be held on Nov.9-10, and by that time, Russia should make a decision with respect to the Swiss mediation.