659th Meeting of the Permanent Council
The European Union welcomes the Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia, Ambassador Roy Reeve, to the meeting of the Permanent Council today and thanks him for his very informative and comprehensive report.
The EU reiterates its support for the ongoing process of democratic reform in Georgia and values the Mission’s activities supporting the Georgian authorities in this field, including in particular those related to human rights, national minorities, the media, judiciary, penitentiary system, police and border guards. These activities are also well in line with Georgia’s commitments in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan.
The EU, being the largest contributor to the economic rehabilitation programme in South Ossetia, wishes to underline once more the importance it attaches to the programme – not only as a way to improve economic conditions, but also as an effective confidence building measure in the broader framework of conflict resolution. The programme activities are helpful in establishing dialogue and cooperation between the sides and thus contribute to stability in the region. The EU is pleased with the ongoing activities of the Steering Committee and hopes that the meeting last Tuesday in Vienna will contribute even more to the timely and successful implementation of the programme. The EU encourages all donors to honour their commitments concerning the funds they pledged at the donors’ conference, 14 June 2006, in Brussels for implementation through the OSCE. Since the implementation of the program requires proper conditions of safety and security, we call on the parties to improve rapidly their cooperation in this regard.
The EU welcomes the informal meeting of the Joint Control Commission that took place on 21 and 22 March in Istanbul, in which the security situation in the zone of conflict, the economic rehabilitation programme, law enforcement co-operation and further steps in the negotiation process were discussed. The EU thanks the Mission and the host country Turkey for arranging this important meeting. The EU hopes that the parties will continue consultations in a formal JCC session to be held in the near future. In the light of the continuing violence in South Ossetia we consider such consultations, which should lead to real progress in the conflict settlement process, most urgent.
The EU strongly condemns the atrocious killing of two Georgian policemen by South Ossetian forces on March 25 and conveys its condolences. Such acts of violence escalate an already volatile situation on the ground and create new impediments to conflict resolution. The EU urges the parties involved to refrain from any violent or provocative actions or rhetoric and to exercise restraint. We call on the parties to commit themselves to non-use of force and renunciation of all forms of threat or pressure.
The latest act of violence demonstrates again the urgent need for confidence-building measures, implementation of the agreed demilitarisation measures and cooperation between law enforcement agencies. This act of violence occurred only days after the parties were able to make some positive headway during the informal JCC meeting. The EU urges the parties to continue these consultations as soon as possible. We also call for the immediate implementation of commitments made to achieve a peaceful settlement, on the basis of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. The EU welcomes the recent Georgian initiative to renew dialogue between Georgia and South Ossetia and urges the South Ossetians to give serious consideration to the proposal and to engage in further dialogue and negotiations. We welcome the Georgian commitment to non-use of force. The EU is ready to lend support to dialogue and to contribute practically to confidence-building measures agreed between the parties. The EU reiterates its call for more OSCE military observers, which should help to reduce tensions, allay fears, aid transparency and build confidence.
The EU is also concerned about the security situation in Abkhazia and, with reference to its statement of 15 March regarding this issue, hopes that the UN-led investigations on the recent violent attacks in the Upper Kodori Valley will soon be finalized.
The EU takes note of Ambassador Reeve’s concerns regarding local staff salaries. We will consider this issue in the relevant fora in due course.
The EU reiterates its full support for Ambassador Reeve and the OSCE Mission in Georgia, and its broad range of activities. We thank Ambassador Reeve and his staff for their dedicated work, and wish them success in the future.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, EFTA country Norway, a member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldovaalign themselves with this statement.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
