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Georgia, Russia hold direct talks Georgia, Russia attend key talks
(about 4 hours later)
Georgian and Russian officials have begun their first direct talks since the conflict over Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia in August. Georgian and Russian officials are in Geneva for key talks on the recent conflict over Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia.
The talks in Geneva - which are be mediated by the UN, the EU and the OSCE - are aimed at encouraging stability and security in the Caucasus. The talks - which are being mediated by the UN, the EU and the OSCE - are aimed at encouraging stability and security in the Caucasus.
But they are unlikely to provide a solution to the dispute, diplomats say.But they are unlikely to provide a solution to the dispute, diplomats say.
In August, Russia fought a brief war to repel Georgian troops trying to regain control of South Ossetia.In August, Russia fought a brief war to repel Georgian troops trying to regain control of South Ossetia.
Moscow later recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia - another Georgia's rebel region - as independent states, drawing condemnation from Tbilisi and Western leaders. Moscow later recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia - another Georgian rebel region - as independent states, drawing condemnation from Tbilisi and Western leaders.
See a map of the region See a map of the region
Last week, Russian troops left their self-imposed buffer zones around Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in accordance with a French-brokered ceasefire deal.Last week, Russian troops left their self-imposed buffer zones around Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in accordance with a French-brokered ceasefire deal.
But Moscow has said it plans to keep nearly 8,000 soldiers in the two rebel regions.But Moscow has said it plans to keep nearly 8,000 soldiers in the two rebel regions.
Georgia - which has cut off its diplomatic ties with Russia - says the two regions are integral parts of its territory, demanding an immediate pullout of the Russian troops.Georgia - which has cut off its diplomatic ties with Russia - says the two regions are integral parts of its territory, demanding an immediate pullout of the Russian troops.
Plea for patiencePlea for patience
The talks in Geneva were never going to be easy, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says. Diplomats described the day's events in Geneva as "proximity talks", with representatives of the various international organisations shuttling between Georgian and Russian officials.
This is why the EU and the UN are hoping to get them going with a fairly modest agenda: returning the displaced to their homes and encouraging renewed economic activity, our correspondent says. We know that this is a long process, we're taking it slowly, step by step Alexander Stubb, OSCE chairman
Sergei Chamba, the foreign minister of the Abkhazia region, said there had been two separate meetings - "the Russians and the Abkhazians (in one) and the Georgians in another".
It was not immediately clear whether the two parties met face-to-face.
The talks were never going to be easy, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says.
This is why the EU and the UN are hoping to get them going with a fairly modest agenda - returning the displaced to their homes and encouraging renewed economic activity, our correspondent says.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in Geneva: "The international discussion that shall take place tomorrow is a beginning. This should not be seen as the end.On Tuesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in Geneva: "The international discussion that shall take place tomorrow is a beginning. This should not be seen as the end.
"It may take time, so we need to have some patience," he added."It may take time, so we need to have some patience," he added.
Alexander Stubb, the current chairman of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said: "We know that this is a long process, we're taking it slowly, step by step."Alexander Stubb, the current chairman of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said: "We know that this is a long process, we're taking it slowly, step by step."
Another major sticking point is the format of the talks themselves.Another major sticking point is the format of the talks themselves.
Russia has been pressing for the inclusion of representatives from Abkhazia and South Ossetia in any discussions, but Georgia strongly opposes to the move.Russia has been pressing for the inclusion of representatives from Abkhazia and South Ossetia in any discussions, but Georgia strongly opposes to the move.
Representatives from the two regions are in Geneva, but their role in unclear. Representatives from the two regions are in Geneva, but their role is unclear.
Diplomats in Geneva are so nervous that they would not confirm who is sitting in the meeting room, our correspondent says. Diplomats in Geneva are so nervous that they would not confirm who was sitting in the meeting room, our correspondent says.
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