S/PV.3476 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among members of the Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council has received with deep concern a report from the Secretariat concerning a statement of 26 November 1994 attributed to the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia. It believes that any unilateral act purporting to establish a sovereign Abkhaz entity would violate the commitments assumed by the Abkhaz side to seek a comprehensive political settlement of the Georgian- Abkhaz conflict. The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia. “The Security Council calls upon all parties, in particular the Abkhaz side, to reach substantive “The Security Council reaffirms the right of all refugees and displaced persons affected by the conflict to return to their homes in secure conditions in accordance with international law and as set out in the Quadripartite Agreement on voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons signed in Moscow on 4 April 1994. In this regard it expresses great concern at the continued obstruction of the return of refugees and displaced persons and calls upon the Abkhaz party to take all necessary measures, in cooperation with UNHCR, to ensure a speedy and organized voluntary return of the refugees and displaced persons.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1994/78. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda.