MOSCOW, March 27 (RIA Novosti) - Tbilisi has turned down a Russian proposed draft document on the non-use of force between Georgia and its former republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a Russian Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday.
“Sadly, the work on this draft has once again been obstructed by the Georgian side which still insists on some unilateral obligations on the non-use of force from Russia,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said at the end of the 23rd round of Geneva discussions on security and stability in the South Caucasus.
“That is totally unacceptable to us.”
Georgia lost control over one-fifth of its territory after Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke away and were recognized by Moscow in the wake of a brief war with Russia in August 2008.
Both had enjoyed de facto independence since the early 1990s, following earlier conflicts with Georgia.
Georgia repeatedly accused Moscow of aiding separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia at that time.
Moscow provides the breakaway republics economic and military support and has recognized their independence.
Karasin said the next round of Geneva discussions will take place on June 25-26.
