Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli reiterated on February 13 that the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping troops from the South Ossetian conflict zone “has never been an aim in itself.”

“The Parliament will discuss this issue, so let’s wait for further developments. Our position is clear. Our goal has always been the successful accomplishment of the peace process based on the OSCE-supported plan and a withdrawal of the peacekeepers from the conflict zone has never been our aim in itself,” PM Nogaideli told reporters.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary Committees on Defense and Security and Foreign Affairs are holding a joint session on Monday. Currently, Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili is reporting to the MPs about the situation in the conflict zone and regarding the performance of the Russian peacekeepers. State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava has already reported to the MPs on these issues this morning.