Georgian Prime Minister welcomes OSCE's role in conflict resolution

VIENNA, 30 October 2007 - Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli told the OSCE's Permanent Council today that his country welcomed the Organization's role in efforts to resolve the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

He argued that the Joint Control Commission (JCC), a negotiation mechanism co-chaired by the Georgian, South Ossetian, North Ossetian and Russian sides and in which the OSCE Mission to Georgia participates, had been immobilized.

"Decisions are not made and implementation is impossible, because the format and the separatists themselves constantly reject initiatives and proposals," he said.

He added that the negotiations held under the commission were prolonging the conflict.

"The Georgian government does not reject the JCC. In fact, we welcome the role of the OSCE as part of our national effort to unite our country. That is why we have repeatedly come to this venue, offering serious proposals," he said. "But in plain terms, it is not enough. And it will not bring us peace."

He said three inter-dependent approaches were needed to resolve the conflict, including a national, inclusive and participatory consultation process over the status of a South Ossetian Autonomous Region in Georgia.

"Second, more robust engagement by the international community, through the JCC and other formats, to enhance security, ensure freedom of movement of goods and people, and to encourage dialogue both bilaterally and among the different representatives of the people of South Ossetia," he said.

Thirdly, he called for implementation of a comprehensive plan for the economic rehabilitation and development of the region.

The Prime Minister said he was grateful for the OSCE's efforts, including a donor's conference held last year, which raised more than 10 million euros for social economic rehabilitation projects in the zone of conflict.

He also announced that Georgia continued its pledge by adding 250,000 euros to money committed earlier. The new pledge would go to a water irrigation system and reconstruction of a main hospital in the zone of conflict, he said.

The Permanent Council is the 56-country OSCE's main, regular decision-making body. It meets weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make appropriate decisions.