OSCE Chairman regrets delay of JCC meeting and detention of Russian diplomats in Georgia

BRUSSELS, 17 July 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, has expressed regret at the postponement of a meeting scheduled to start today of the Joint Control Commission for the resolution of the Georgian - Ossetian conflict.

"It is disappointing that the opportunity to resume constructive dialogue has not been taken, especially at this time of increased tension," he said. "It is imperative that all parties take the earliest possible opportunity to address jointly the pressing issues at hand."

Minister De Gucht also said he was concerned at two recent incidents where Russian JCC representatives, who were travelling between Tbilisi and the zone of conflict, were detained by armed Georgian authorities.

"Stopping diplomatic delegates in a diplomatic vehicle in this way breaches internationally recognised diplomatic practice", he said. "I hope that such extraordinary and unhelpful incidents will not be repeated."

The Chairman-in-Office went on to urge both sides to refrain from any action which could exacerbate the situation on the ground.