'Caucasian Four' group discusses acute problems behind close doors

They met within the framework of the 27th meeting of the CIS inter-parliamentary assembly in St Petersburg.

Russian Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov told journalists after the meeting that the four countries "discussed the creation of new parliamentary mechanisms to resolve problems in this uneasy region."

He did not elaborate on the details of the talks, but pointed out that "the partakers showed agreement and understanding of the need to pursue the talks."

The next meeting of the 'Caucasian Four' Group will take place probably in Tbilisi in early 2007, Mironov said.

Georgian parliamentary speaker Nino Burdzhanadze said she would be glad to receive her counterparts in Tbilisi.

"We should by no means reject the dialogue in such a format, even if it gives no fast and concrete results. These meetings are very useful for our countries," she said. Itar-Tass