US Mission to OSCE: ‘we would welcome reestablishment of OSCE field presence in Georgia operating unhindered across administrative boundary lines’
The Geneva International Discussions were launched in October 2008 to address the consequences of the Russia-Georgia 2008. The format brings together participants of the conflict - Russia, Georgia and the de facto regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as the US. Photo: osce.usmission.gov.
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The United States (US) Mission to OSCE has issued an official statement in which its team says that they would welcome the reestablishment of an OSCE field presence in Georgia ‘capable of operating unhindered across the administrative boundary lines’.
The statement reads that an OSCE mission with full access to the internationally-recognised territory of Georgia is necessary for advancing opportunities to reduce tensions and support the local population.
Russia’s military invasion of Georgian territory in 2008 flouted the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. We would welcome the reestablishment of an OSCE mission in Georgia with full access to the internationally-recognized territory of Georgia. https://t.co/ENpxo3rvDx pic.twitter.com/jOl6JA5yrA
— U.S. Mission to OSCE (@usosce) November 12, 2020
Russia’s military invasion of Georgian territory in 2008 violated international law and flouted the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the non-use of force…We encourage the OSCE Ministerial Council to hold discussions on steps to resolve this conflict, restore Georgia’s territorial integrity, and remove this threat to regional security, particularly at this very difficult time”, reads the statement.
The statement also reads that the United States values the unique role of the Geneva International Discussions format in pushing for the implementation of the six-point ceasefire agreement and in maintaining security on the ground.
We urge all Geneva International Discussions participants to join the 51st round of the discussions on December 10-11, following the 2020 OSCE Ministerial Council. The activities of the Russian Federation in this matter must be viewed in the big picture of the policy, activities and goals of the Russian Federation. It is not to be viewed in isolation”.
It is also mentioned in the statement that Russia’s aggression continues to have a direct and negative impact on the well-being of the conflict-affected populations on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Lines.
The US Mission to OSCE calls on Russia and the de-facto authorities to release detained civilians, including Zaza Gakheladze, and to restore movement and access to emergency medical care across the Administrative Boundary Lines.
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Russia did not participate in the 51st round of Geneva International Discussions on October 6-7.
On October 7 Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that the decision to refrain from the 51st round of discussions was made by the Russian, Abkhaz and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) delegations due to COVID-19 related restrictions and logistical problems.
As an alternative, Russia proposed to conduct the talks on the same date via videoconference, but this was declined by the co-chairs”, said Zakharova.
The Geneva International Discussions were launched in October 2008 to address the consequences of the Russia-Georgia 2008.