On the third anniversary of the start of the five-day war between Russia and Georgia, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group said talks were needed "to restore stability and create positive momentum in a situation that is fragile and potentially explosive."
"...major international actors need to send a strong message that direct talks are urgently needed," the ICG said, citing governmental agreements on energy and transport issues since the war as reasons for optimism.
Switzerland is mediating negotiations between Moscow and Tbilisi on Russia`s membership of the WTO, which requires Georgian consent.
The process "has shown that Russia and Georgia can sit down when facilitated by a third party both view as neutral", the ICG said.
The ICG, an independent organisation committed to resolving conflict, urged the sides to engage on issues including regional security, trade and transport, possibly with Swiss mediation.
Relations between the two former Soviet states remain fraught, three years after Russia crushed a Georgian assault on the breakaway region of South Ossetia, launched after months of tension. Each blames the other for the start of the conflict.
Moscow recognised South Ossetia and another rebel region of Georgia, Abkhazia, as independent states after the war. Russia has stationed thousands of soldiers in both.
Russia and Georgia have no diplomatic relations, and hostile rhetoric and deep distrust have contributed to what the think-tank described as a "toxic atmosphere."
A Russian embargo on Georgian wine, mineral water and agricultural produce denies Georgia a huge market for exports, while the security situation along the boundaries of South Ossetia and Abkhazia remains difficult.
The United States, an ally of Georgia, is backing Russia`s membership in the WTO as part of a drive to improve relations between Moscow and the West. Georgia has threatened to use its veto to block Russia`s accession unless a dispute over customs controls is resolved. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
