Nebenzia: The guarantee of peace in Transcaucasia is an agreement on the non—use of force by Georgia

Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Vasily Nebenzia spoke to journalists on August 20, before the start of the press approach of the Western members of the Security Council, timed to the events in Tskhinvali in August 2008.

The Russian diplomat presented an objective chronology of the events of 2008, recalling the aggression of the Saakashvili regime and the legality of the peace enforcement operation to protect citizens and peacekeepers. In his statement, he paid key attention to the current situation in the region.

Nebenzia stressed the role of the Geneva discussions as the main mechanism for maintaining dialogue and stability in Transcaucasia.

He noted the need to sign a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force between Georgia and Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia, as well as to launch the process of delimitation and demarcation of borders.

Vasily Nebenzia pointed out the negative impact of the annual politicized resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the sanctions isolation of residents of the republics, as well as attempts by the West to influence Georgia and draw it into NATO.

The Russian representative to the UN confirmed Russia's readiness to facilitate direct dialogue between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia for the sake of long-term peace and security in the South Caucasus.