OSCE Chairmanship says Geneva Discussions are crucial to sustain stability in the South Caucasus region

GENEVA, 28 January 2010 - The Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship described today's ninth round of Geneva Discussions as an important step in sustaining stability in the South Caucasus region.

"It is crucial for us to help restore people's hope and confidence in their own future," said Ambassador Bolat Nurgaliyev, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. "We need to be creative and agree on interim steps as a permanent security arrangement may take some time to elaborate."

Nurgaliyev emphasized the need to have a step-by-step approach.
The discussions traditionally take place in two parallel working groups. One group looks at security and stability in the region and the other deals with humanitarian questions.

Nurgaliyev put forward concrete proposals related to the resumption of the gas supply and the rehabilitation of water distribution networks. He undertook to continue further discussions on these matters.

He and the other two co-chairs - Marco Bianchini of the UN and Ambassador Pierre Morel of the EU - discussed with participants interim steps towards a framework for a potential non-use of force agreement and international security arrangements.

While the situation was assessed as relatively calm, sporadic incidents, in particular shootings and detentions, remain a matter of concern. The Co-Chairs noted that these incidents should be addressed through the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs), established on 18 February 2009. Further work is underway to facilitate the full resumption of these mechanisms.

The Co-Chairs agreed with the participants that the next meeting would be in Geneva on 30 March.