DECLARATION BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION on the situation in South Ossetia

1. The European Union is seriously concerned about the recent developments in South Ossetia , which have led to loss of lives for the first time in years. The European Union strongly urges all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to fully respect the terms of the cease-fire.

2. The European Union considers stabilisation of the situation on the ground the first priority. Further violations of the cease-fire agreement and non-implementation of decisions taken in the Joint Control Commission could easily lead to a further escalation of an already volatile situation. On the other hand, a stable cease-fire could form the basis for deepening negotiations, which should lead to a political settlement.

3. The EU considers the demilitarisation of the zone of the conflict, with the exception of the Joint Peace Keeping Force, an important precondition for the de-escalation of the current crisis.

4. During the crisis the European Union has been constantly in touch with the parties concerned, mostly through the Special Representative on the Southern Caucasus Ambassador Talvitie. The European Union recalls the declaration made by High Representative Solana on 14 August and recent EU statements in the OSCE Permanent Council on South Ossetia .

5. The European Union supports the OSCE in fully carrying out effective and verifiable monitoring of the situation on the ground and welcomes the intention of the OSCE CiO to travel to the region and urges him to do so at his earliest convenience in order to underline the OSCE’s interest in a lasting cease-fire and to ascertain the readiness of the parties to the conflict to seek a political solution. In this context the EU welcomes the OSCE CiO's intention to consider urgently whether the OSCE’s monitoring capability in the zone of conflict can be further enhanced.

6. The European Union notes with interest proposals both on short term stabilisation of the situation and on an international conference on South Ossetia to be convened by the CiO of the OSCE. The EU will explore with all parties involved, through the efforts of its Special Representative for the Southern Caucasus , how it could most effectively contribute to a political solution of the crisis, in particular in co-operation with the OSCE.

7. The Special Representative will continue the EU’s political dialogue with the Russian Federation on the crisis in South Ossetia as a matter of urgency.

8. The European Union would like to recall once more its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, and the need to arrive at viable solutions for outstanding conflicts through negotiation, confidence building and exclusively by peaceful means. The European Union recalls that any lasting solution of the conflict can only be based on respect for the rule of law and human rights and on respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia , including its right to control its own border.

9. The European Union reaffirms its readiness to continue to assist Georgia in the development of democratic institutions and the rule of law, including through its rule of law mission EUJUST-THEMIS, and stands ready to provide necessary humanitarian assistance.

The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

20 August 2004.

(www.europa.eu)