Georgia, South Ossetia strive for peaceful settlement

Yesterday Georgia and South Ossetia signed a protocol of the Mixed Monitoring commission for the Georgian-Ossetian conflict settlement.

"It was a big deal," South Ossetian Minister at Large Boris Chochiyev told journalists.

According to him, the sides agreed to appeal to the Georgian and South Ossetian governments for the prevention of the armed conflict and for peaceful settlement.

"I believe this is an important day for both nations," said Georgian Minister for Separatist Conflicts Georgy Khaindrava.

In his words, Georgians and Ossetians would have never forgiven if the conflicted escalated to violence.

"Today we should consider our future actions and measures for political or economic settlement," Mr. Khaindrava added.

Moreover, the sides agreed not to prevent humanitarian deliveries to the conflict area.

"All measures will be taken for free delivery of humanitarian aid to the conflict zone," said South Ossetian Minister at Large Boris Chochiyev.

The Georgian authorities assured Steven Mann, ambassador of the U.S. Department of State, that the problem of the Tskhinvali region (Georgian name of self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia) would be solved only by peaceful means, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told journalists on Thursday.

"During his visit to Tbilisi and after meetings with the Georgian authorities Steven Mann saw that our positions are justified, fair and constructive," Mr. Zhvania stressed.