Russia’s veto to extend OSCE mission’s mandate in Georgia’s demonstrated its “unconstructive policy,” President Saakashvili said on December 23.

“It is very regretful that Russia – the only country in OSCE - has killed the OSCE format in Georgia,” Saakashvili said at a meeting of the National Security Council. “It confirms once again that Georgia was absolutely right in all those issues which were concerning the conflicts. Unfortunately, Russia was keeping and is still keeping an unconstructive position, but I think that this is a very short-term policy.”

OSCE Mission in Georgia will start closing procedures from January, 2009.

Russia said that it has vetoed extension of mission’s mandate in Georgia because it could not accept any linkage between the OSCE activities in South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, as such approach would have contravened its decision on recognition of South Ossetia’s independence. Russia instead proposed setting up of separate OSCE mission – not simply a field office - in Tskhinvali.

Terhi Hakala, the head of OSCE Mission in Georgia, said on December 23, that Russian-proposed draft was not “too constructive to be honest; this is why we are in this situation.”

“Talks will continue definitely, but as it looks now, yes, we are starting closing procedures,” she said. “I am very disappointed, because there is lot of work to be done here.”

“We have a huge EU mission here on the ground so I hope in that case [if OSCE won’t be able to resume its activities in Georgia] EU will take more responsibility and continue the work the OSCE has been doing here,” Hakala added.

She was speaking with journalists after meeting with Alexander Nalbandov, the Georgian deputy foreign minister.

Nalbandov told journalists that Georgia was ready for “any compromise” on OSCE mission mandate in Georgia. “Only Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence can not be compromised,” he said.

He also said that Georgia would welcome if EU mission in would continue work of the OSCE in Georgia.