OSCE Chairperson, in Georgia, stresses OSCE’s continued engagement

TBILISI, 12 June 2012 – On a visit to Georgia today, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore, stressed the OSCE’s continued engagement in the country, including its commitment to helping Georgia address the consequences of the 2008 conflict.

"The OSCE supports the Geneva Discussions as the forum for resolving issues stemming from the 2008 conflict," said the Chairperson following his meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze. “The Geneva process is the only way forward and it is moving in a positive direction.”

“The OSCE is engaged in Georgia and we want to do more. We are exploring ways of having an OSCE presence on the ground. Currently the OSCE is working on projects that help improve the lives of people affected by the conflict, including improving the water supply for the affected communities and facilitating exchanges of detainees.”

Talking about the forthcoming parliamentary elections in October, the Chairperson said: “I welcome the timely invitation to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections and urge the Georgian authorities to make every effort possible to ensure that the elections are in line with OSCE and international standards.”

This evening he also met the Chairman of the Parliament, David Bakradze, and tomorrow he will meet President Mikheil Saakashvili, Minister for Reintegration Eka Tkeshelashvili and representatives of the opposition parties.