The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, said on October 9 that he welcomed the reports about Russia’s withdrawal from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia, but also noted that Russian troops remained in the Akhalgori district.  

“I welcome the Russian withdrawal of their posts along the southern boundary of the former Area of Responsibility of the Joint Peace Keeping Forces in keeping with the 10 October deadline set out in the Sarkozy-Medvedev agreements,” Stubb said. “However, the OSCE monitors report that the Russian troops have not withdrawn from the Akhalgori area.”

He also said that 28 OSCE observers would continue to monitor the region.

“I expect the OSCE’s original eight military monitoring officers to regain access to South Ossetia without further delay, and would welcome Russian support in this regard,” Stubb said.

The OSCE chairman also said that the OSCE would work closely with the UN and EU to help bring security and stability to the war-affected areas, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“The start of the Geneva talks [on October 15] will be a much needed opportunity to lay the foundations of a lasting peace,” Stubb said. “As a priority we should address such concrete issues as prevention of incidents and the return of displaced persons.”