PRESS STATEMENT ON GEORGIA BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON GEORGIA BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is the text of today’s press statement by the President of the Security Council, César Mayoral:

Members of the Security Council today heard the briefing of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Georgia, Ms. Heidi Tagliavini, who presented to the Council Members the Secretary General’s report on the activity of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).

They reiterated to the Special Representative their continued support.  They stressed that UNOMIG must be in a position to fulfil its mandate unhindered, and emphasized that all parties must ensure appropriate security and freedom of movement for UNOMIG. 

Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.  They discussed the next steps in support of the Georgian-Abkhaz peace process.  They underlined the need for renewed efforts to achieve a lasting political solution to the conflict, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, and expressed their hope for an early resumption of the dialogue between the two sides in order, inter alia, to prevent instability and to build mutual confidence. 

They reiterated their support to the United Nations, with the assistance of the Russian Federation in its capacity as facilitator, as well as the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General, in the efforts to resolve the conflict.  Members of the Council welcomed the intention of UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno to travel soon to the region.  They encouraged both parties to the conflict to participate constructively in the next high-level meeting of the Group of Friends.

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