OSCE Chairman expresses serious regrets at the failure of Joint Control Commission meeting on Georgian-Ossetian conflict

BRUSSELS, 13 October 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, today said he seriously regretted that the meeting of the four-party Joint Control Commission on the resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict failed to reach any agreements during its  two-day session in Vladikavkaz on 12-13 October 2006.

"This is the third time in a row that the JCC-meeting failed to reach any results. At a time when tensions remain high in the area of the Georgian-Ossetian zone of conflict, it is extremely disappointing that the sides failed to agree upon any measures to move the peaceful resolution process forward," said Minister De Gucht.

 "I call on all parties to the conflict to maintain dialogue, to exercise the greatest caution and restraint and actively seek compromises to keep the peace process going."

The Chairman-in-Office added that he would be sending his Personal Envoy, Senator Pierre Chevalier, to the region to consult with the parties.