UN chief calls for constructive engagement between Georgia, Russia

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan commended on Tuesday the peaceful resolution of tensions, and called on all sides to engage constructively to address existing problems.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Annan said he is pleased that Georgia and the Russian Federation have been able to resolve the issue of the recent arrest of Russian officers in Georgia in a peaceful and constructive manner.

He appreciated the efforts undertaken by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Chairman-in-Office, Karel de Gucht, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, to help bring about this result.

The secretary-general expressed the hope that all parties concerned will refrain from statements or actions that could affect stability in the region, and encourages them to engage constructively to address existing problems.

Source: Xinhua