Georgia, Tbilisi, June 21 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia /
Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze met with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek.
The sides discussed security issues in the separatist regions and the situation related to human rights, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia told Trend.
Vollebaek expressed his intention to visit the border villages to become familiar with the existing situation.
During the meeting the sides also discussed the measures of the Georgian government on protection of rights of national minorities and new initiatives, as well as the role of the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities this direction.
On behalf of the Government of Georgia, Panjikidze thanked Vollebaek for the important role played by the Office of the High Commissioner in the protection of human rights in Georgia, especially the rights of national minorities, and in informing the international community about the situation in the separatist regions.
Large scale military action was launched in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August. In response, Tbilisi broke diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.