Halonen in Georgia hopes for settlement in Abkhazia and South Ossetia

President Saakashvili accuses Russia of territorial annexation

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President Tarja Halonen, who continued her tour of the Caucasus region on Wednesday, said in the Georgian capital Tbilisi that she hopes that negotiations can begin on a settlement to civil conflicts in Georgia’s two trouble spots - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
      Speaking at a press conference, Halonen told journalists, and President Mikhail Saakashvili, that it is very important for both disputes to be resolved by peaceful means.
     
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are trying to break away from Georgia with Russian help, which has soured relations between Russia and Georgia. However, the two countries are still talking to each other, and Saakashvili said that he was sure that a solution to the conflicts would be found with Russia.
      The Georgian leader nevertheless was quite forthright in his condemnation of Russia for what he sees as an attempt to annex the two trouble spots in the north of Georgia.
      Saakashvili said that Russia is keeping its border open with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, it issues passports to local residents, makes investments in the area, and has Russian soldiers there as peacekeepers.
      The Georgian President said that such actions bear the hallmarks of annexation.
      There are still two Russian military bases in Georgia, which should be closed by the end of 2008.
     
Based on the day’s discussions, Halonen said that relations between Russia and Georgia are not as good as Finland’s relations with Russia "for understandable historical reasons".
      Georgia’s 37-year-old President is very popular in his country, and there are high expectations in the West.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Halonen in Armenia asked for recognition of Turkish massacre (28.9.2005)
  Jazzy start to President Halonen's visit to Armenia (27.9.2005)
  President Halonen to Caucasus for a week (26.9.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat