OSCE Chairperson welcomes decision to extend mandate of Georgia monitors

VIENNA, 12 February 2009 - The 56 OSCE participating States agreed today to extend until 30 June the presence of the Organization's unarmed military monitoring officers in Georgia.

The decision states: "The Permanent Council decides to extend until 30 June 2009, its decision No. 861 of 19 August 2008, without prejudice to any further PC decisions on the future OSCE presence."

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, welcomed the move, saying: "This decision to extend the mandate of the OSCE monitors shows that all States agree that the Organization is a critical part of international efforts to secure lasting stability in the region. I am confident that we can build on this consensus to ensure that the OSCE will be able to continue its important work for all peoples in the region and help to address urgent humanitarian challenges."

The mandate of the OSCE Mission to Georgia ended on 31 December 2008 and is not affected by today's decision.