Statement by Italian OSCE Chair’s Special Representative for South Caucasus on 10th anniversary of ceasefire in 2008 war in Georgia
VIENNA, 12 August 2018 – Special Representative of the Italian Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Günther Bächler, today made the following statement on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the ceasefire in the 2008 war in Georgia:
“Ten years ago, the August war in Georgia created a far-reaching human tragedy and its consequences continue to be severely felt today. The ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 stopped the military hostilities. But for the people affected, the main problems remain: the security situation on the ground; the deepening of the dividing lines between communities because of disruption to means of communication such as roads, railways, and trade facilities; large scale displacement; missing persons; lost or destroyed property; access to water and land; freedom of movement, and many other humanitarian and human rights issues. For the young generation, there are often no future prospects as young people lack socio-economic and educational opportunities. People are forced to live in poverty or to migrate.
A comprehensive settlement of all open issues in the region, solving all the status-related, political, and humanitarian questions may not be reached soon. However, all those in a position to influence the situation can and should do everything to create an atmosphere of reconciliation, to build trust in pragmatic problem-solving, and to improve the living conditions for the local population on all sides of the dividing lines.
Ten years after the hostilities of August 2008 it is high time that full use is made of the well-established dialogue formats – such as the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM) – in order to solve outstanding issues in a pragmatic, professional and non-confrontational manner, and in a spirit of trust and confidence. Finding a solution to one issue may facilitate progress on other pressing topics. Only a robust process of dealing with past and present grievances will ensure lasting peace and reconciliation for future generations. Civil society on all sides of the dividing lines has a vital role to play.
October 2018 will mark the tenth anniversary of the GID. I call upon all participants to use the forthcoming 45th round to reflect on how to strengthen the Geneva talks and the IPRMs. It is the responsibility of all participants to contribute to an atmosphere conducive to meaningful discussions and to propose solutions to security-related and humanitarian issues. It may be an appropriate moment to return to the aim of the original GID co-chairs that participants should consider a more flexible and participatory agenda-setting, the establishment of result-oriented expert groups, as well as the preparation of high-level meetings to promote peace and address major legal and political issues. All those who lost their loved ones ten years ago and those who suffer daily under the hardships created by the conflict would be grateful for such responsible leadership.”