OSCE Chairman welcomes important step forward in Georgia discussions in Geneva

HELSINKI, 19 November 2008 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, said today he welcomed the important step forward taken in the discussions on Georgia in Geneva, co-chaired by the OSCE, UN and EU.

"The Geneva discussions are moving forward and have entered an operational phase," said Stubb after being briefed by his Special Envoy, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie. "This was the first time since the tragic events of August that the parties had met directly. All participants agreed an important step forward was taken today. They moved from procedural discussions to practical matters that affect people on the ground."

The three co-chairs - Talvitie, Ambassador Johan Verbeke of the UN and Ambassador Pierre Morel of the EU - agreed with the other participants that the next meeting would be in Geneva on 17 and 18 December.

Between now and then, the co-chairs will prepare proposals on concrete ways to handle disputes and incidents and on how international monitoring could be further enhanced. Representatives of the co-chairs will visit the region to more closely assess the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees as winter approaches.

Today's discussions took place in two working groups; one looking at security and stability in the region and the other at IDPs and refugees. Representatives of all parties took an active part in both groups.

"The OSCE, which has a long-established mission in Georgia, should be able to continue its work for the benefit of all those affected by the war. I welcome the willingness of all the parties to make a serious effort to make it possible", Stubb said. He pledged to use the OSCE Helsinki Ministerial Council on 4-5 December to give another boost to the Geneva process.