UN team heads to region to assess Georgian-Abkhaz peace process

A United Nations team tasked with assessing the Georgian-Abkhaz peace process will be heading to the region this weekend to consult with key actors, a spokesperson for the world body announced today.

Led by Bertrand Ramcharan, former acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the mission will visit Tbilisi and Sukhumi for meetings with the parties and representatives of the international community, Michele Montas told reporters.

The group will also visit the capitals of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General – comprising France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – and consult with relevant regional organizations.

“The mission will report back to the Secretary-General on key challenges in the UN-led peace process and possible solutions,” Ms. Montas said.

Since 1993 the UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has been verifying compliance with a cessation of hostilities and separation of forces accord following the armed conflict between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides.