OSCE prepares for observation mission of pre-election period in Georgia

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of OSCE responded at the invitation of Foreign Ministry of Georgia to implement a long-term observation mission of the pre - election period in the country, Deputy Foreign Minister Nino Kalandadze said at a press briefing on Monday.

"The ODIHR has expressed its readiness to send observers to Georgia in the near future, although we do not expect the official notification. This issue was raised in all the capitals and received a positive response everywhere. Therefore, it is difficult to assume that it wouldn't be followed by the appropriate steps. We do not doubt that international observers will arrive in Georgia. We are interested in arrival of as many observers as possible and all procedures to be completed as soon as possible. Therefore we have sent out invitations in advance of the election," Kalandadze said.

As to the statements of some non-governmental organizations and political parties about the fact that there were no such words as "long-term mission" in the invitation of the MFA Kalandadze said that this allegations are "far from logic."

It was recorded repeatedly, also by senior officials in the negotiations at all levels, that Georgia poses the question of inviting the long-term observation mission.

"Not once has publicly recorded, including senior officials in the negotiations at all levels, that Georgia poses the question of inviting the long-term observation mission. Therefore it is illogical to prejudice this issue. Long-term arises from the fact that we sent out invitations for seven months before the parliamentary elections and since we are inviting observers today, it is understood that long-term mission is meant" Nino Kalandadze said.


/Trend/