Russia explained its position on OSCE mandate in Georgia

2009-02-12 18:00

The Russian side commented upon the decision to prolong the mission of OSCE military monitors in Georgia up to June 30th 2009.

According to Anvar Azimov, the Permanent Representative of Russia to OSCE, agreeing with today's decision of the Permanent Council, Russia proceeds from the non-affecting of other decisions (or their absence) on field presence of OSCE in the region.

According to the statement, the Russian side is lead by the understanding that the decision of the Permanent Council touches upon only the 20 OSCE military monitors, acting in the areas, adjacent to South Ossetia.

Russia is persuaded that one of the main tasks of the mission must be monitoring and reporting to the participant countries the situation in the sphere of security in the Georgian regions adjacent to South Ossetia, including monitoring of the Georgian side obligation to return their troops and military machinery to the places of their constant deployment.

This function fully complies with the agreements of August 12th and September 8th 2008 between Russia and France [the then president country of the EU], the statement claims.

Let us remind that today the Permanent Council of OSCE decided to prolong OSCE military monitors presence in Georgia.

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