April 15, SUKHUM, ABKHAZIA  The President of the Republic of Abkhazia S. V. Bagapsh received a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe delegation. The delegation included PACE rapporteurs Mathias Eorsi and David Wilshire, the Monitoring Department head Agnieszka Nachilo and the adviser for human rights Sabrina Buescher. PACE representatives said that their visit to the republic was aimed at familiarizing themselves with the situation. The delegation has already held meetings in Georgia, and will pay a visit to the Russian capital in the beginning of the next week.

The President told the guests about the situation in Abkhazia, the leadership of the republic's position in relation to the settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz relations. Sergey Bagapsh said that the Abkhaz party participates in the Geneva consultations, however doesn't consider them effective. The head of the republic considers it necessary to sign an agreement between Abkhazia and Georgia on the non-renewal of war against Russia's and the international community's guarantees. 

Speaking about the western countries' position, Sergey Bagapsh pointed to the fact that they, by word of mouth declaring the principle of human rights observance, in practice support Georgia's proposals to ban economic contacts with Abkhazia and other methods of isolation.

PACE representatives promised to prepare an objective report following the results of their visits to Abkhazia and Georgia.

Source: Abkhazia Gov.