Former, current, future OSCE chairs support Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity at ministerial council
In their statement of December 4, the Group of Friends of Georgia stated they will continue to hold Russia accountable for its obligations and commitments and advocate for the conflict’s peaceful resolution. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Former, current and future chairs of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Slovakia, Albania, Sweden, Poland and Macedonia have reiterated their support to Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at the recent OSCE ministerial council in Tirana.
Georgian Ambassador to the OSCE Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has tweeted:
‼???????????? Tirana "Quint" Statement of former, current and future CiOs of #OSCE ????????????????????????????????????????, the important deliverable of #OSCEMC20 expresses solid support for independence, sovereignty & terr. Integrity of #Georgia. Thanks for support & being true to our core principles! @agenda_ge pic.twitter.com/Ke7D0NI3E8
— Keti Tsikhelashvili (@TsikhelashviliK) December 5, 2020
Tsikhelashvili also reported that at the ministerial council on December 3-4, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama also spoke of Georgia's Russia-occupied regions.
The #OSCE #albanianchair PM @EdiRamaPM speaking to 27th Ministerial Council #OSCEMC20 on security hurdles, s.c. #borderization in #Georgia????????, limited movement & increased humanitatian burden, incl. for healthcare of people, while #GID has to reconvene next week & efforts continue pic.twitter.com/GKs4oeANxm
— Keti Tsikhelashvili (@TsikhelashviliK) December 3, 2020
Group of Friends of Georgia also released a statement supporting Georgia's territorial integrity and calling on Russia to cease continuous occupation and attempts of de facto annexation.
During the @OSCE Ministerial Council ???????? had the honour to deliver a joint statement of the Group of Friends of Georgia on behalf of ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? calling on Russia to withdraw its forces & stop the use of force in ???????? intl recognized borders. #OSCEMC2020 pic.twitter.com/cPljAfOh34
— Katrina Kaktina (@KatrinaKaktina) December 4, 2020
United States Ambassador James S. Gilmore III said in the closing statement that the US is pleased to join the Friends of Georgia in expressing 'unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders'.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to reach consensus on a statement on the Russia-Georgia conflict. We would welcome discussion of opportunities for an increased OSCE role in Georgia", he said.
UK's delegation to OSCE has also reaffirmed its support to Georgia:
Along with the OSCE #GoF Group of Friends of Georgia ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????, we reaffirm today at #OSCEMC20 our full support for #Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. pic.twitter.com/uzNbI2nWXF
— UK Delegation OSCE (@UKOSCE) December 4, 2020
Meanwhile, in his address to the ministerial council, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani underscored Georgia's devotion to the OSCE founding principles, democracy and Euro-Athlantic aspirations and spoke of Russia’s continued occupation of Georgia's regions.
I thank Albania ???????? & current CiO @ediramaal 4 organizing 27th @OSCE Ministerial Council in this novel format. I highlighted challenges present in #OSCE area, incl conflicts &dire humanitarian situation in ????????’s Russia-occupied regions. Wish the success 2 upcoming????????Chairmanship pic.twitter.com/wt45FGdOQd
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) December 3, 2020
During the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council in Tirana, participating states appointed new senior leadership for the organisation, including Helga Schmid who replaced Thomas Greminger as secretary general.