PRESS STATEMENT ON GEORGIA BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s statement to the press on Georgia by Security Council President Ellen Margrethe Løj (Denmark):

Members of the Security Council today heard a briefing of the Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, who presented to the Council Members the Secretary General's report (S/2005/269) on the situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, and the activity of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG).  Special Envoy of the President of Georgia for Conflict-Resolution in Abkhazia, Georgia, Mr. Irakli Alasania made a statement.

Members of the Council expressed continued support for the United Nations, with the assistance of the Group of Friends of the Secretary General and the Russian Federation, in its capacity as facilitator, in the efforts to build the necessary trust between the parties for meaningful negotiations on a lasting political settlement, based on the relevant Security Council resolutions.  While reaffirming their commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia, they particularly welcomed the high-level meeting of the Group of Friends under UN Chairmanship in Geneva in early April, where both the Georgian and Abkhaz sides participated for the first time since July 2003 and expressed their willingness to intensify the search for a settlement of the conflict by peaceful means only.

Members of the Council expressed their support for UNOMIG and the Special Representative in the efforts to promote dialogue between the parties on political and security issues, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and economic cooperation, as well as for her intent to take advantage of the momentum achieved in Geneva in this regard.  They urged the parties to act upon their expressed willingness to renew dialogue on these priority areas and ensure early resumption of the work in the relevant task forces and working groups.

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