OSCE committed to aid rehabilitation in zone of Georgian-Ossetian conflict, says Secretary General

TBILISI, 15 May 2006 - OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said today that the Organization is preparing for a donors' meeting for rehabilitation projects in the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

"We are working hard to create conditions for a successful meeting in Brussels, to be hosted by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office," said Ambassador Brichambaut.

During his two-day visit to Georgia, which concludes today, the Secretary General is meeting President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, Chairperson of Parliament Nino Burjanadze, State Minister for Conflict Resolution Giorgi Khaindrava, Special Adviser to the President of Georgia on Conflict Resolution Issues Irakli Alasania, and First Deputy Foreign Minister Valeri Chechelashvili.

"Donor countries will be asked to pledge Euros 10 million, now that the parties to the conflict have agreed the package of economic and infrastructure rehabilitation projects, which were proposed in the OSCE-led Needs Assessment Study," added Secretary General Brichambaut.

He said he had friendly, frank and useful discussions: "I am happy that the OSCE can provide continuous support to help Georgia implement its OSCE commitments."

Ambassador Brichambaut will also visit an OSCE Mission centre in Omalo, to meet instructors and trainees of the Mission's Training Assistance Programme for the Georgian Border Guards.