OSCE presence could return to Georgia

An officer from the OSCE Mission to Georgia observes the withdrawal of Russian troops, October 2008. Photo: OSCE

Agenda.ge, 17 Jan 2014 - 15:04, Tbilisi,Georgia

A European security agency could return to Georgia after a four year absence.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) announced it was ready to work on restoring its presence in Georgia.

"[We are] ready to re-launch a discussion on the OSCE presence in Georgia, provided that the stakeholders show flexibility and creativity, OSCE chairman Diduer Burkhalter announced at a meeting in Vienna with representatives of the 57 participating states yesterday.

The OSCE mission had to end its operation in Georgia in June 2009 after a failure to agree on its mandate following Russias recognition of Georgias breakaway regions.

The organisation had a 17-year history of working on facilitating peace within the troubled South Ossetian region.

Burkhalter, who is also the Swiss Foreign Minister, said 2014 was a year for reconciliation. He said the prolonged conflicts in the South Caucasus; the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the consequences of the August 2008 conflict in Georgia and the Transdniestrian settlement process were high on the OSCE agenda.

"We are well aware that progress may not come overnight and that no settlement will be feasible unless the parties are committed. However, we firmly believe that it is not an option to simply wait and see,Burkhalter said.

Switzerland has also been acting as a mediator between Georgia and Russia since the countries cut off diplomatic ties following the war in August 2008.

Meanwhile at the Vienna meeting, Burkhalter called on representatives of the OCSEs 57 participating states to draw from the lessons of the First World War.

"Peace should never be taken for granted. We must not become complacent about peace but rather construct and secure it through constant dialogue, confidence-building and collective efforts to boost mutual understanding.

The role of the OSCE ranged from conflict prevention to fostering economic development, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and promoting the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.