Aug 10, 2004

Abkhazia: Georgia to prevent Armed Conflict in Abkhazia


Georgia will prevent an armed conflict in Abkhazia said Georgian Defence Minister Georgy Baramidze
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Georgia will prevent an armed conflict in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This statement was made on Monday in an interview with Tass by Georgian Defence Minister Georgy Baramidze who arrived in Moscow on a working visit.

“The aim of my visit is to settle questions, facing Georgia and Russia,” he said. “We are sure that all painful questions can be settled both in the interests of Georgia and Russia.” “Georgia will prevent an armed conflict in the Tskhinvali region and in Abkhazia,” the minister continued. “We shall settle the conflict peacefully,” he added.

“It is important for us to find out what Russia wants from Georgia,” Baramidze went on to say. “Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not that important for Russia to spoil relations with Georgia for good.”

According to the minister, Georgia “confirms determination to restore close, friendly, partnership and strategic relations with Russia”. “Our interests should not run counter to each other,” he claimed. “Struggle against terrorism, corruption and contraband unite Moscow and Tbilisi. Our economic relations, which we intend to consolidate in future, are developing dynamically.”

“The question of bases is not the main now,” the minister underlined. “Russia is also interested in pulling out troops, and we shall conduct a constructive dialogue on this problem,” he said in conclusion.

Source: Itar Tass