OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON EU

UNCLAS STATE 079317 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV GG SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON EU MONITORING MISSION EXTENSION ¶1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the July 30, 2009, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna: Begin text: Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. The United States welcomes the extension of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia for another year. We believe the EUMM is doing an excellent job in maintaining stability and we strongly support its continued efforts. The EU,s Monitoring Mission has taken on particular significance with the closure of both the OSCE and UN Missions in Georgia. Despite the regrettable loss of these valuable missions, the United States remains convinced that the international community still has a vital role to play in restoring security and stability in Georgia. We firmly support OSCE, UN, and EU coordination of the Geneva discussions, and hope to see concrete progress in future meetings. We strongly support the EU,s efforts to monitor compliance with the 12 August and 8 September agreements, and remain deeply concerned by the fact that Russia continues to flout the provisions of these agreements. The United States remains committed to peaceful conflict resolution, and, like the EU, will continue to support Georgia,s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. CLINTON