Brussels, 16/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations between Georgia, Russia and representatives of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, held under the aegis of the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe), failed to get started in Geneva on Wednesday 15 October. Talks broke down over the participation of pro-Russian and pro-Georgian representatives from South Ossetia and Abkhazia. European and UN diplomats, seeking to bring about the first diplomatic dialogue between Russia and Georgia since August's conflict, have set 18 November as the date for a second meeting. On the ground, local Georgian leaders have accused the Russians of breaking the ceasefire, firing a grenade launcher and flying over Georgian territory in a helicopter.
The international donors conference to raise funds for Georgia will take place in Brussels on Wednesday 22 October. The conference has been organised by the European Commission and the World Bank and will be co-chaired by the French Presidency, represented by Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the Czech Presidency, in the person of Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. The initial Needs Assessment suggests that €2.38 billion will be needed by Georgia over the next three years to cover budget support, social sector support and infrastructure development. (L.C./transl.rt)