22/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - In a declaration issued on behalf of the EU, the British Presidency welcomes the decision taken by the Georgian government in hosting the international conference in Batumi on 10 July to pursue active collaboration in the interest of a political settlement of the conflict between George and South Ossetia. “The EU hopes that this initiative will provide new impetus to the peace process and, in this context, reiterates its view that the conflict must be solved exclusively by peaceful means”, the declaration states. In the process of political settlement, active cooperation among all parties remains indispensable, the Presidency asserts, saying: “The EU therefore regrets that representatives from the South Ossetian region of Georgia did not participate in the conference. We suggest that the results of the conference should be brought to the attention of the authorities in South Ossetia and encourage them to participate in any further initiatives”. The EU also stresses the importance of demilitarisation of the region as a necessary condition for the peace process, and calls on both parties to continue full demilitarisation without delay.