Jul 22, 2004

Abkhazia: Russia Hails Talks over Return of Internally Displaced Persons to Abkhazia


The issue of safe return of the internally displaced persons has been discussed
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A July 21 statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry welcomed talks that occurred between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides in Sochi on July 20.

The issue of safe return of the internally displaced persons to the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia was discussed at the talks, which were also attended by a representative from the Russian Foreign Ministry and the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative to Georgia, Heidi Tagliavini.

Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava, who represented the Georgian side at the talks, told reporters on July 20 that at the next negotiations, the Georgian side will not focus on the return of IDPs soley to the Gali district.

“We are going to push the issue of a safe return of IDPs to the entire territory of Abkhazia,” Goga Khaindrava said.

Source: Civil Georgia