Finland reaffirms ‘strong support’ for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, OSCE Chair Valtonen

Finland, as the current Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, in line with the Helsinki Principles, Finland’s Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen said in a statement on social media on Wednesday.

Valtonen also called on Russia to fully implement its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement and return to pre-conflict positions.

“Today, I witnessed the excellent work of the EU Monitoring Mission on the ground in maintaining stability for the benefit of local communities. The OSCE, together with our Special Representative continues to support this important effort. Finland, as the OSCE Chair, stands firmly with Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as set out in the Helsinki Principles. We urge Russia to fulfil its commitments under the 2008 agreement and return to pre-conflict positions,” Valtonen wrote.

Her statement follows her visit to the administrative boundary line, where she observed the situation on the ground and met with representatives of the EU Monitoring Mission.