Abkhazia invited to Geneva talks on Georgia conflict

SUKHUMI, November 14 (RIA Novosti) - Abkhazia announced on Friday it has received an official invitation to a Caucasus security meeting to be held in Geneva on November 18.

The first round of talks on the August Caucasus conflict began on October 15, but was suspended after the Georgian delegation refused to sit down at the negotiating table with representatives of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, separatist republics recognized by Russia as independent.

Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba told reporters that the invitation from the meeting's organizers will allow the republic's delegation full participation in the talks.

The Abkhazian delegation will include Deputy Foreign Minister Maxim Gunjia, Abkhaz presidential adviser Vyacheslav Chirikba, and Foreign Ministry envoy to Germany Zeki Kapba, Shamba said.

Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war after Georgia attacked South Ossetia on August 8. Moscow recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states in late August.