OREANDA-NEWS. September 9, 2008. Reconfirm each side’s obligation to respect in full the Medvedev-Sarkozy six-point plan of August 12, 2008.

Section one: Withdrawal of troops.

Point one. Russia will withdraw all of its peacekeepers from the five observation posts along the line from Poti to Sinaki inclusive within a maximum deadline of seven days, taking into account the signature on September 8, 2008, of legally binding documents providing guarantees of non-aggression against Abkhazia.

Point two. Russia will withdraw in full its peacekeepers from the zones adjoining South Ossetia and Abkhazia to the positions where they were stationed before the start of hostilities. This withdrawal will be carried out within ten days following the deployment of international mechanisms in these zones, including at least 200 observers from the European Union, no later than October 1, 2008, taking into account legally binding documents guaranteeing non-aggression against Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

I want to stress that Russia has already received these documents.

Point three. The complete return of Georgian armed forces to their bases by October 1, 2008.

Section two. International observation mechanisms.

Point one. UN international observers in Georgia will continue to carry out their mandate in their zone of responsibility in accordance with the number and deployment scheme as at August 7, 2008, without detriment to possible future adjustments decided by the UN Security Council.

Point two. International observers from the OSCE will continue to carry out their mandate in their zone of responsibility in accordance with the number and deployment scheme as at August 7, 2008, without detriment to possible future adjustments decided by the Standing Council of the OSCE.

Point three. Speed up preparations for the deployment of additional observers in the zones adjoining South Ossetia and Abkhazia in number sufficient to replace the Russian peacekeepers by October 1, 2008, including at least 200 observers from the European Union.

Point four. As guarantor of the principle of non-aggression, the European Union will actively prepare the deployment of an observer mission in addition to the existing observer mechanisms.

Section three – International discussions. The international discussions stipulated in point six of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan of August 12, 2008, will begin on October 15, 2008 in Geneva. Preliminary discussions will begin this September.

Point two. These discussions will examine the following issues in particular: ways to ensure security and stability in the region; settling the issue of refugees and displaced persons on the basis of internationally recognised principles and post-conflict resolution practice; any other issue put forward with the mutual approval of the parties.