19:30, 26 August 2004

Meeting between Georgian PM and South Osetian president 'still possible'

The place and time of the meeting between Georgian Prime Minster Zurab Zhvania and South Osetian President Eduard Kokoity have not been fixed yet. Though EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie, who returned from the conflict zone today, has stated there is still a chance that such a meeting will take place. He estimates the situation in the conflict zone as rather quiet, though there is still much tension. "The situation has become less tense after the withdrawal of Georgian troops from the conflict zone," Mr Talvitie said and added the opposite party should do the same thing. In his words, the European Union gives preference to peace talks and expresses hope the parties will choose this very way of resolving the conflict. "There is a chance to settle the conflict and we must use it," Mr Talvitie said. The European Union will do its best so that the Georgian-Osetian conflict will be resolved as soon as possible, he added.

Author: Natiya Djindcharadze, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot