The European Union says mediators have succeeded in getting talks restarted between Russia and Georgia to resolve security and refugee issues left over from the conflict in South Ossetia.
     
Pierre Morel of the 27-nation EU says it is the first time since the war in August that all of the parties, including separatists, have met directly.
     
They are building on a first attempt at negotiations that broke down last month after the sides failed even to agree on the format of the talks. A major problem was whether pro-separatist representatives from South Ossetia and Abkhazia should take part.
     
Morel said Wednesday that eight parties met behind closed doors at U.N. offices in Geneva for the one-day talks and agreed to meet again next month.

AP