OSCE and EU do not recognise referendum in South Ossetia
14 November 2006
The OSCE and the EU on 13 November have both issued statements saying they do not recognise and do not acknowledge the outcomes of the referendum or any of the electoral activity in the South Ossetia region on 12 November
"The 'referendum on independence' and 'presidential election' in the South Ossetian region does not help to bring a peaceful solution of the conflict closer," the OSCE's Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht, said.
"The so-called elections increase tensions and divisions at a time when the sides to the Georgian-Ossetian conflict should be devoting all efforts to stabilising the situation and moving forward the negotiating process."
Minister de Gucht said the international community considered South Ossetia an integral part of Georgia and supported all efforts by the two sides to achieve a peaceful settlement of their conflict through negotiations.
The European Union in a declarations stated the "referendum" contradicts Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU said that the situation in South Ossetia did not allow the free expression of the popular will and reiterated that it does not recognise the "referendum" or its outcome. The same applies to the "presidential elections" in South Ossetia, Georgia.
Source: Press releases of OSCE and Council of the European Union
