OSCE Chairman Karel De Gucht calls for measured response to Georgian Parliament resolution

PRISTINA, 16 February 2006 - Commenting on yesterday's resolution of the Georgian Parliament on peacekeeping operations in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has called for a measured response by the Government.

"While reconfirming the OSCE's support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and recognising the sovereign right of its Parliament to pass a resolution on peacekeeping operations in Georgia, I hope that the Georgian Government will adopt a measured response and that negotiations with the Russian side will be conducted at the highest level," Minister De Gucht said.

Calling on all sides to exercise restraint and to refrain from any actions or statements that could raise tensions on the ground, he expressed his hope that the current difficult situation would not be complicated further.

Minister De Gucht also underlined the OSCE's willingness to provide all support necessary and to work actively with all sides involved.

The Chairman-in-Office sent his Special Envoy Senator Pierre Chevalier to the region on 15 February to assess the situation.

"I will follow with interest the meeting of the Joint Control Commission due to be held in Vienna on 20 and 21 February," Minister De Gucht said. "I hope this meeting will be constructive and bring about positive results."