Greek Proposal on OSCE Georgia Monitoring ‘Remains on Table’
Despite suspension of talks at this moment on Greek OSCE chairmanship’s proposals on continued presence of OSCE mission, “we remain hopeful that we will still be able to reach consensus soon,” Greek ambassador to the organization, Mara Marinaki, said on May 14.
She said that the proposal, which “is based on the ‘status-neutral’ formula,” still remained on the table, but for now negotiations on the matter were “suspended until further notice.”
Russia has turned down the proposal citing that it did not reflect new realties that had emerged in the region after the August war, referring to Moscow’s recognition of South Ossetia’s recognition.
“Following five months of intensive informal negotiations, it is now time to take stock of what has been accomplished,” Marinaki said. "We need to review the results of our efforts to build the required consensus… We have repeatedly said we need more, not less, OSCE in the region. We call on all participating states to show strong political will to this end.”
The OSCE Mission to Georgia is in a process of closure as Russia vetoed extension of its mandate in December, 2008. The OSCE also has 20 unarmed military monitors in Georgia who are observing situation in the areas adjacent to breakaway South Ossetia; their mandate expires on 30 June.
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