Mamuka Areshidze: “Georgian and Russian Parties Face Serious Dilemma”

Expert of Caucasus issues Mamuka Areshidze thinks the compromise proposal of Switzerland regarding Russia’s WTO membership contradicts the status of Georgia’s conflict regions.

“I do not know the formulation of the most important issue in the document – which border will international monitors observe? I mean, will they monitor Russian-Georgian border or Russian-Abkhazian and Russian-South Ossetian border? The formulation of the border is very significant. If the document states that it is Russian-Georgian border, that means Moscow declines its statement about recognition of independence of break-away regions and recognizes territorial integrity of Georgia; but if the document states that monitors will be deployed on the Russian-Abkhazian and Russian-South Ossetian borders, it means Georgia recognizes so-called independence of the regions,” Areshidze told Interpresnews.

He thinks the settlement creates serious dilemma for both parties. “I doubt everything is not so smooth in regard with Georgia; as a rule, Moscow does not compromise so easily.”

As a result of long negotiations, Georgian and Russian parties accepted the compromise proposal of Switzerland. According to the settlement, all cargo transported through the internationally recognized Georgian-Russian border will be controlled by international monitors unlike previous years. Special monitors will carry out the monitoring procedures. In addition, the agreement on the technology of exchanging the information is also agreed.

On November 3, Russian President Dimitry Medvedev stated that Moscow is ready to accept the compromise settlement for joining the WTO.

Supposedly, the final agreement between the parties will be signed on November 10.

Interpresnews