South Ossetia intends to advance interests at Geneva discussions

South Ossetia intends to advance its interests within the 24th round of Geneva discussions on security in Transcaucasia scheduled for June 26-27, an official of the office of the presidential plenipotentiary representative for post-conflict settlement told journalists on Monday. “The discussions will focus on the key issue: to develop an agreement on Georgia’s non-use of force against South Ossetia. In addition, the delegations will study measures and proposals to increase security and stability on the border territories,” the official said. The South Ossetian delegation, which has left for Geneva, is led by presidential plenipotentiary representative Murat Dzhioyev. The delegation also includes presidential adviser Konstantin Kochiyev, head of the South Ossetian delegation at the talks within the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism Khokh Gagloyty, First Deputy Foreign Minister Kazbulat Tskhovrebov and human rights commissioner Inal Tasoyev. South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov said, “Over all rounds of the Geneva discussions South Ossetia jointly with its colleagues from Abkhazia and the Russian Federation advances the interests of our states based on the norms of international law.” He stressed that they “continue insisting on signing the fundamental document, which would oblige Georgia not to use force against South Ossetia and Abkhazia”. Commenting on border issues, the president said South Ossetia would conduct the demarcation of its boundaries in compliance with the existing realities. “Any unauthorised actions from Georgia will be treated as a provocation,” Tibilov said. The Geneva discussions involve Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia, the U.S., as well as the U.N., the OSCE and the EU.