Georgia, Tbilisi, May 16 / Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
The Georgian State Minister on Integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions and deputy Prime Minister, Giorgi Baramidze, met with the chairman of the committee on human rights and humanitarian questions of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mateo Mecacci.
Both sides discussed ways of finding a peaceful settlement of conflicts in Georgia and issues related to protection of human rights in the non-recognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the refugee problem. They also touched upon holding democratic elections in Georgia and the importance of the presence of OSCE monitors at them.
It's very important that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is informed about the situation in Georgia and in particular the conflict zones, Baramidze told reporters following the meeting.
Mecacci noted the importance of the OSCE help in protection of refugees' rights.
"I hope the OSCE will be given an opportunity to reopen its mission in Georgia," he said.
Earlier Mecacci visited the conflict zone and became familiar with human rights violations in the region. He supported the speedy opening of the OSCE mission in Georgia.
Military actions were launched in the Georgian territory, South Ossetia on Aug.8 in 2008. Later Russian troops occupied the city of Tskhinvali and drove the Georgian military back. Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in late August. In response, Tbilisi broke off diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced the two unrecognised republics as occupied territories.