Georgia, Zurab Noghaideli gave a speech at the session of the Security Council of the UN. The session was dedicated to reviewing the situation in Abkhazia (Georgia).
After his speech, the Prime Minister of Georgia met the UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon. Zurab Noghaideli emphasized the hard living conditions of the population which had returned to the Gali region. He explained that they are forced to live in an atmosphere of fear and gross violations of human rights. As the Prime Minister stated, without the return of the internally displaced population and the refugees, it will be extremely difficult to discuss the issues related to the resolution of the conflict. He also confirmed that Georgia's government stands ready to launch a direct dialogue with the Abkhaz side and is willing to undertake all necessary measures to restore trust and confidence in this part of Georgia.
The UN Secretary General expressed his support for the course Georgia has embarked on, which aims to achieve peaceful resolution of the conflict.
In the evening, within the foyer of the UN headquarters, an exhibition was opened in memory of the victims of the Abkhaz conflict, where the Prime Minister spoke to those attending. These included diplomats accredited to the UN and representatives of the Georgian diaspora in New York. As Mr Zurab Noghaideli stated, the memory of the victims will be properly honored should the conflict be resolved through peaceful means while maintaining Georgia's territorial integrity as well as meeting the interests of the multiethnic population of Abkhazia.
Press Office of the Government of Georgia