Russia, Georgia meet for Geneva talks

GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Russia and Georgia have opened their first direct talks since the August military conflict between the two countries ended, officials said.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday to participate in the talks organized by the European Union, The New York Times reported.

Representatives of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia also were in Geneva at Russia's urging. Russia recognizes the regions as independent nations while Georgia still regards them as part of its own territory.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon cautioned that the meetings were only the first step in what could be a lengthy diplomatic journey, the Times said.