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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the situation concerning South Ossetia in the Republic of Georgia; what recent representations he has made regarding the presence of Russian forces; what plans there are for (a) mediation and (b) the provision of (i) observers and (ii) peacekeeping forces by international organisations; and if he will make a statement. [189874] Mr. Rammell: The Government support the territorial integrity of Georgia and Georgia's right to control its own borders. We believe that the conflict can only be resolved and a long-term sustainable solution found, by peaceful negotiation between the parties. To this end, the UK supports the work of the OSCE mission in Georgia, who have a special role in promoting the peaceful resolution of the South Ossetian conflict, and the work of the EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus. The UK's own Special Representative to the South Caucasus is also active, having most recently visited Georgia, including South Ossetia, on 22 to 25 September 2004. The format for dialogue between the Georgians and the South Ossetians is through the Joint Control Commission, which also includes the Russians and the North Ossetians. This Commission met last in Russia at the end of September but there were no concrete outcomes. Russian forces form part of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (including Georgian and South Ossetian) that are present by agreement of these parties. OSCE monitors are also present by agreement of the relevant parties. The OSCE is currently considering increasing their number of monitors from six to 16, a proposal that we support.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c302-3W; 189874

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Borders Monitoring Peace negotiations Georgia South Ossetia

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk