OSCE Secretary General, on visit to Georgia, emphasizes need to promote dialogue
TBILISI, 8 September 2010 - OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut today issued the following statement on his visit to Georgia and meetings with officials there:
"The focus of my talks during my visit to Georgia today was to explain the OSCE's efforts within the International Geneva Discussions co-chaired by the OSCE, the EU and UN. We are trying to promote dialogue among all participants in the Geneva Discussions that could be conducive to the agreement of practical activities on the ground in the fields of security and humanitarian assistance. This requires mutual respect, understanding and restraint, not only from officials but from media as well.
"I also travelled to Odzisi, a village close to the administrative boundary line, together with the European Union Monitoring Mission. I expressed support for the EU Mission, with which the OSCE co-operates under the framework of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism established by the Geneva Discussions. I reaffirmed the urgent need to resume the activities of this mechanism, for the benefit of all communities affected by the August 2008 conflict.
"In addition, I paid a visit to a camp of Internally Displaced Persons in Tserovani together with Koba Subeliani, Minister for IDPs, Accommodation and Refugees.
"My meetings in Tbilisi were informative and constructive and I look forward to the continuation of this dialogue at the OSCE Summit in Astana in December."
The OSCE Secretary General met President Mikheil Saakashvili, Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, State Minister for Reintegration Temuri Iakobashvili, Speaker of Parliament Davit Bakradze and opposition leaders during his one-day visit.