Tbilisi, Georgia, Nov.4
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili has met with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier in Vienna and discussed the situation in Georgia's breakaway regions, Georgian Presidential Administration said on Nov.4.
Margvelashvili said that despite the steps taken by Georgia to deescalate the tension with Russia, the political relations haven't been normalized between the two sides so far.
He said Russia plans to sign a so-called agreement 'On alliance and integration' with Abkhazia by late 2014, adding that this is the direct step towards Abkhazia's annexation.
It was also stressed that Russia should receive a clear signal about the necessity to start constructive negotiations in the Geneva format. All the more so, Georgia regards the Geneva discussions as the only format for discussing the humanitarian and security issues with Russia.
The Geneva talks were convened after the armed conflict in August 2008 in Georgia, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement of Aug. 12, 2008.
Large scale military action was launched between Georgia and Russia in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008.
Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military.
Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in late August.
In response, Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow and has called the two unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occupied territories.