At Geneva Discussions, OSCE Chairmanship calls for additional confidence-building measures

GENEVA, 4 March 2011 – Additional confidence-building measures in areas affected by the August 2008 conflict in Georgia are needed, said the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Protracted Conflicts, Giedrius Čekuolis at today’s round of the Geneva International Discussions.

Taking up his role as the Co-Chair of the Geneva Discussions, Čekuolis stressed that in the two months since his appointment, he has been actively involved by visiting the affected areas and discussing the situation with all interlocutors.

“I welcome the release of detainees and call for further releases. I also urge the relevant law enforcement agencies to spare no efforts in addressing the issue of missing persons,” said Čekuolis. “This can make a real difference to people’s lives and increase trust and confidence.“

An OSCE representative reported that the preparations are completed for the implementation of several water projects to supply potable and irrigation water to the population in affected areas. Regrettably, no progress had been made on gas supplies, he added.

Welcoming the participants in this 15th round, Čekuolis and the other two Co-Chairs of the Geneva Discussions, Pierre Morel of the EU and Antti Turunen of the UN, assessed that the security situation remained calm.

Čekuolis said that progress in the resolution of all protracted conflicts is one of the OSCE Chairmanship’s highest priorities: “All participants should take full advantage of the Geneva framework to develop further measures to improve security and alleviate humanitarian needs,” he said.

The Geneva discussions take place in two parallel working groups. One group deals with security and stability and the other with humanitarian questions, including internally displaced persons and refugees.

The Co-Chairs agreed with the participants that the next meeting will be in Geneva on 7 June 2011.