This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7736978.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fresh Russia-Georgia talks begin Russia-Georgia talks 'progress'
(about 8 hours later)
Representatives from Russia and Georgia have begun talks in Geneva to try to defuse tensions after their five-day conflict over South Ossetia in August. Talks between Georgia and Russia aimed at defusing tensions after their brief war in August have made substantial progress, diplomats in Geneva say.
The talks, mediated by the UN, EU and OSCE, aim to encourage a return of stability and security to the region. Mediators said there was genuine agreement that security in the region must be improved and that refugees must be allowed to return to their homes.
But major disagreements over Georgia's rebel areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia could make the talks tricky, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes says. But major differences over the status of Georgia's rebel areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia were set aside.
A first round of talks in Geneva fell apart after one day. The talks were mediated by representatives of the UN, EU and OSCE.
The Russian and Georgian teams were never even in the same room together, leaving EU and UN diplomats gritting their teeth as they tried to sort out differences over seating arrangements, our correspondent says. Delegates from South Ossetia and Abkhazia were also at the meeting.
'No titles' It follows insistence from Russia - which has recognised them as independent states - that they be included.
Russia had been insisting that delegates from South Ossetia and Abkhazia should be full participants at the talks. Georgia had argued that they were integral parts of its territory, and therefore should not be treated in Geneva as independent countries.
Georgia had argued that they were integral parts of its territory, and therefore should not be treated in Geneva as independent states. 'No Titles'
On Wednesday, proceedings seem to have begun rather more modestly: delegates from all parties were in the negotiating room, but none was wearing an official government badge, our correspondent says. The first round of talks last month collapsed after one day, and the Russian and Georgian teams were never even in the same room together.
Abkhaz representative Maksim Gunjia said before the talks that his delegation expected that "all four sides will be as constructive as possible". This time though, all parties were in the negotiating room, but none was wearing an official government badge.
"There are going to be eight participants, no countries, no names, just participants of the discussions," Mr Gunjia said, adding that they would be focusing on security issues and refugees. One proposal put forward was the introduction of an international police force to patrol the ceasefire lines and protect refugees and vulnerable groups, said UN negotiator, Johan Verbeke.
On Tuesday, Amnesty International said in a report that more than 20,000 ethnic Georgians were still unable to return to their homes in South Ossetia. On Tuesday, Amnesty International said in a report that more than 20,000 ethnic Georgians were still unable to return to their homes in South Ossetia following the five-day conflict in August.
Its report said a "twilight zone" had been created along the de facto border between Georgia and its rebel region, "into which people stray at their peril".Its report said a "twilight zone" had been created along the de facto border between Georgia and its rebel region, "into which people stray at their peril".
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says despite the cordial atmosphere at the meeting, nothing is going to change overnight.
Far from returning home, displaced people will get more permanent shelters instead of the tents they are currently living in - more than 6,000 huts will be built and allocated before winter sets in.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country brokered a ceasefire between the two sides in August, has admitted that Russia has not yet withdrawn the agreed number of troops from South Ossetia.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country brokered a ceasefire between the two sides in August, has admitted that Russia has not yet withdrawn the agreed number of troops from South Ossetia.
Privately, however, French diplomats say recent contacts with Moscow and Tbilisi have been positive, our correspondent says. Meanwhile the UN and the EU are to draw up proposals for improving security - and all sides will meet again, in Geneva, in December.
But she adds that no-one is betting on any quick breakthrough at these talks.