Georgian Foreign Minister addresses OSCE, calls for active response to security and human rights situation, restoration of OSCE presence, confidence-building

VIENNA, 10 October 2013 – Georgian Foreign Minister Maja Panjikidze outlined foreign and domestic policy priorities, spoke about current security challenges in the region, and called for active engagement of the international community and OSCE in addressing them, in a speech to the OSCE Permanent Council today.

“European and Euro-Atlantic integration is the cornerstone of our foreign policy,” she said, stressing Georgia’s resolve to consistently follow this path.

Panjikidze spoke about ongoing reforms in the country aimed at strengthening democracy, rule of law, and human rights protection. She commended the co-operation with the OSCE and its structures, including with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly observing presidential election in October 2013.

Speaking about the areas affected by the August 2008 conflict in Georgia, Panjikidze expressed her “extreme concern over the critical situation”, specifically about the installation of barbwire fences which “significantly affects the livelihoods of the local population, divides families and communities and prevents people-to-people contacts”. 

Minister Panjikidze also called on the OSCE community to “undertake appropriate measures and concrete steps in response to the deteriorating security and human rights situation” along the administrative boundary line, and presented Georgia’s views on how the OSCE could respond.

“We attach special importance to the enhanced and dynamic role of the Co-Chairs and the OSCE in the Geneva International Discussions”, she said, regretting the lack of progress in the activities of the Working Groups dealing with non-use of force and with the humanitarian needs of the conflict-affected population.  “To end the deadlock and ensure the unhindered run of work within both Working Groups enabling us to reach the substantive results, OSCE’s enhanced commitment to the Geneva Discussions is central.”

Panjikidze also said efforts must be redoubled to work towards the restoration of a full-fledged and comprehensive OSCE presence on the ground. She stressed the importance of “further reinforcing OSCE’s active engagement in the implementation of concrete initiatives for the benefit of the population divided by the war aimed at meeting their humanitarian needs, building confidence and trust and facilitating reconciliation between the war-affected communities”.

Panjikidze stressed Georgia’s commitment to the realization of a security community and the “Helsinki+40” process aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of OSCE. “We believe that the process, among others, should help us make progress towards the peaceful resolution of the existing conflicts in the OSCE area.”

The Permanent Council is a main decision-making body of the 57-country OSCE. It meets weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make appropriate decisions.

Full text of the address is available at https://www.osce.org/pc/106929