Tsereteli speaks to OSCE about Russian "aggression"

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Gigi(Giorgi) Tsereteli, spoke at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly bureau sitting this week, where the current situation in the South Caucasus was discussed.

He remarked that Russia has failed to fulfill its obligations with regards to Georgia's breakaway territories, despite numerous resolutions and warnings made by the OSCE and other international organizations. On the contrary, Tsereteli said, they are engaging in active militarization, including military exercises along Georgia's northern border – calling them a "menace" and "provocative".

The government of Russia, the Deputy Speaker continued, has followed Georgia's efforts at diplomacy (agreeing to the accession of Russia into the WTO, and the lifting of the visa regime) with more aggression. Tsereteli also noted the interest Russia is taking in Georgia's fall elections, which he hopes has not escaped the notice of the OSCE. He also noted that the government of Georgia hails the participation of election monitors and expressed hope that the OSCE will be particularly active in this regard.