OSCE Ambassadors call for dialogue in Georgia's conflict zones to de-escalate serious tensions

TBILISI, 9 July 2008 - The Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council, Finnish Ambassador Antti Turunen, called on the sides in the Georgian-Ossetian and Georgian-Abkhaz conflicts today to urgently resume dialogue in order to de-escalate tensions.

Ambassador Turunen, who is leading a three-day visit to Georgia by the heads of delegations from 21 OSCE participating States, said: "The OSCE is deeply concerned about the worrying increase in tensions, and calls for an immediate restoration of dialogue and avoidance of unconstructive actions or statements."

The OSCE ambassadors met key members of the Georgian Government, including Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze, Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, Malkhaz Akishbaia, and State Minster for Reintergration Issues Temur Iakobashvili. They also visited the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict and met the main stakeholders in the conflict.

"The OSCE urges the sides to stop the violence and reiterate their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. This requires a firm political will from all parties, and would be supported by the OSCE," Ambassador Turunen said.

The OSCE ambassadors spent two days in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. They visited two schools that are being rehabilitated and refurbished by the OSCE-led donor-funded economic rehabilitation projects.

The delegation also visited the important northernmost post of the zone of conflict at Didi Gupta. They continued beyond that post to the Roki Tunnel, the unrecognized border crossing point with the Russian Federation.

In Tskhinvali, the ambassadors had discussions with the leader of the South Ossetian side, Eduard Kokoity, and the Commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces, Major-General Marat Kulakhmetov.

The delegation also met Dimitry Sanakoev, the Head of the Temporary Administrative Unit, in Kurta.

"We have also discussed the need for more OSCE Military Monitors, and underlined the importance for more confidence-building measures and community-level dialogue," Ambassador Turunen said, confirming the OSCE's readiness to promote joint efforts by the sides to improve the security situation on the ground.

Also during the visit to Georgia, which ends today, the delegation discussed the election process and human rights with the Georgian Government, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.