Engagement and resolve required to achieve concrete results, Co-Chairs of Geneva International Discussions tell OSCE Permanent Council

VIENNA, 14 November 2013 – All participants in the Geneva International Discussions – launched five years ago to address the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia – must show constructive engagement if progress is to be made, OSCE Chairmanship Special Representative for Conflicts Ambassador Andrii Deshchytsia told representatives of OSCE participating States today.

Deshchytsia, who co-chairs the Discussions, together with Ambassador Antti Turunen of the UN and Ambassador Philippe Lefort of the EU were addressing a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council. The Discussions bring together representatives from Tbilisi, Moscow, Washington, Tskhinvali and Sukhumi; one of the outcomes was the establishment of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs).

“While the security situation on the ground has remained generally calm, even if detentions remain to be an issue, ongoing installation of fences along the administrative boundary line is of concern and remains high on the agenda of the Geneva Discussions and the Ergneti IPRM,” Deshchytsia said.

“I will continue calling on the Ergneti IPRM participants to put aside political ambitions and instead focus on identifying pragmatic solutions to alleviate unnecessary hardship to local people - properties divided in half, limited access to irrigation water and restrictions on freedom of movement.”

He called for work to be finalized on OSCE-implemented and EU-funded water projects on both sides of the administrative boundary line, and for renewed efforts on missing persons. An OSCE presence with dedicated staff could significantly upgrade the practical work on the ground, and enhance the OSCE’s contribution, Deshchytsia said.

European Union Special Representative Philippe Lefort said that security issues and the humanitarian situation on the ground still top the agenda of the Discussions. “The non-use of force and guaranteed security arrangements have been central to our talks. Despite some differences, participants have engaged constructively in drafting a joint statement of all participants on the non-use of force,” he said, adding that they are set to continue in the coming rounds.

UN representative Antti Turunen stressed that the Discussions remained the only platform to bring all stakeholders together. “Mediation by the UN, OSCE and the EU is a long-term process, and patience and resolve are needed to move forward.” He noted that further steps are needed to improve freedom of movement of local population.

Following the Co-Chairs’ address, a photo exhibition on OSCE water projects was opened at the Hofburg to illustrate how the OSCE can successfully engage on the ground, build confidence and improve people’s lives . The exhibition photo gallery is available at  https://www.osce.org/cpc/108284 .

The Permanent Council is one of the OSCE's main regular decision-making bodies. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make decisions.