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Caucasus on fire - Russia, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia denounce NATO expansion in Georgia

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Caucasus on fire - Russia, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia denounce NATO expansion in Georgia
Anxiety over the intensification of Georgia - NATO cooperation
Tensions in the South Caucasus are escalating as Russia, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia accuse Georgia of accelerating its path toward NATO, warning that the Alliance's military exercises in the region undermine stability and increase the risk of a new crisis. At the same time, they are renewing their demand for legally binding guarantees from Tbilisi, at a time when geopolitical balances in the Caucasus are becoming increasingly fragile. Specifically, representatives of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Russia at the Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus expressed their concern over the acceleration of Georgia's integration into NATO, arguing that the large-scale military exercises of the Alliance on Georgian territory constitute a threat to regional security. This is stated in an announcement by the South Ossetian delegation following the conclusion of the 67th round of talks. The 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus concluded on July 1 at the UN Palace of Nations in Geneva. The meeting was attended by official representatives of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, and the United States, under the chairmanship of representatives of the European Union, the United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The head of the South Ossetian delegation was the state advisor to the country's president, Konstantin Kochiev.

"NATO exercises threaten stability"

According to the announcement, the representatives of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Russia expressed their concern over the intensification of efforts to integrate Georgia into NATO. As they argued, the large-scale military exercises with the participation of Alliance forces on Georgian territory are a factor that threatens stability and security in the region.

They demand commitments from Georgia

The delegations of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Russia also argued that ensuring security and further normalizing the situation in the region depends directly on Georgia undertaking legally binding obligations not to use force against South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Missing persons also in focus

Within the framework of the overall agenda on security and humanitarian issues, the participants also discussed the issue of South Ossetian citizens who were kidnapped or are missing on Georgian territory. The South Ossetian delegation called on the Georgian side to stop obstructing efforts to resolve the issue and to proceed with concrete actions for its settlement.

The unique dialogue platform

The Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus have been taking place since 2008, with the participation of Abkhazia, Georgia, Russia, the United States, and South Ossetia, mediated by representatives of the UN, the European Union, and the OSCE. The talks are traditionally held in two working groups, which deal with security issues and humanitarian matters. According to TASS, the Geneva talks remain the only dialogue platformbetween Sukhum, Tbilisi, and Tskhinval.

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