TBILISI, April 2 (RIA Novosti) - Georgia rules out any type of military solutions to the territorial disputes with its former republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Georgian Defense Minister Irakly Alasaniya said on Tuesday.
“Chances of conflicts’ escalation are minimal,” the minister said adding that Georgian Armed Forces, however, must be combat ready at any time.
“The main determining factor is the formation of a stable and peaceful process. Time is needed for this. Proceeding from this, I am sure that the humane investment that Georgia must contribute into relations with Abkhazians and Ossetians will yield results,” Alasaniya said.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said last week, however, that Tbilisi had turned down a Russian proposed draft document on the non-use of force between Georgia and its former republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
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.
