Georgia Not Optimistic over OSCE Mission Talks

Efforts are underway to find “a formula” under which it will be possible to maintain OSCE mission in Georgia, but Russia’s right to veto the issue makes such a scenario less possible, Grigol Vashadze, the Georgian foreign minister, said.

Georgia’s ambassador to OSCE, Victor Dolidze, said although efforts were underway, he personally was not optimistic about a positive outcome.

In December Russia has blocked extension of the 16-year-old OSCE mission’s mandate in Georgia, as a result the mission is currently undertaking formal procedures for closure. Russia wants a separate, independent OSCE mission in Tskhinvali. Moscow refuses to accept any linkage between the OSCE activities in South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, because Moscow has recognized the independence of the breakaway region.

The new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyannis, told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on January 15, that there was an urgent need to find consensus on continuing the OSCE’s presence in Georgia.

“The future of the OSCE presence in Georgia requires our special attention. It is evident that the situation on the ground and throughout the region requires more OSCE presence, not less. The OSCE has a long tradition of imaginative and flexible solutions, but these can only work if there is good will and political courage on all sides,” she said.

She said that the August crisis in Georgia was “both a challenge and an opportunity.” She also said that the crisis had “shaken us out of our complacency, and reminded us that our job is not done.”

“It therefore provides us with the opportunity to look afresh at the mechanisms we have created, to re-dedicate ourselves to the full implementation of our agreed commitments, and to consider new ways to build indivisible security,” the Greek Foreign Minister said.

Meanwhile, Eduard Kokoity, the South Ossetian leader, said on January 14 that OSCE "does not enjoy credibility" in Tskhinvali because of its conduct during the August war. He also said that Tskhinvali did not want “to place an iron curtain with the rest of the world,” but he added that OSCE should have relations with Tskhinvali like with an equal partner.

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