Georgia, Tbilisi, Oct. 15 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
It is impossible to negotiate with Russia on fundamental issues such as the full de-occupation of the Georgian territories and return of refugees in the framework of the Geneva negotiations, Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Bokeria said.
"Two years have passed since the beginning of the Geneva talks, but it failed to move forward on fundamental matters. There were certain results - a mechanism for preventing incidents was created, but we know that the Tskhinvali regime blocks its work. We are faced with Russia's refusal on fundamental issues such as the de-occupation and the return of refugees," Bokeria told the Radio Liberty.
Bokeria said the negotiations can bring real results only if Russia changes its attitude towards its neighbors.
"The round of negotiations was clearly inconclusive, although it does not mean that the process should stop. Despite the meager opportunities, we are doing everything to keep the process and hope that this format will be more effective when Russia fundamentally changes attitude towards Georgia, and in general, to neighboring countries, and stop the campaign of destruction of Georgia's sovereignty," Bokeria said.
Bokeria also does not exclude that Russia will use the decision on withdrawal of its troops from the Perevi village for political speculations.
"Russia has been forced to repeatedly acknowledge that the Perevi village located outside the administrative borders of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Region. The withdrawal of the troops is a positive factor for the residents of this village. Russians would try to "show" this fact, as a very constructive step. But I stress again, that this will be a tiny part of those obligations undertaken by Moscow," Bokeria said.
He said Moscow stated about the withdrawal of its troops from the Perevi village long ago, but the Russian troops are still there.
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