EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy Catherine Ashton thanked EU Special Representative Philippe Lefort for his mission in the South Caucasus.

“I would like to thank Ambassador Lefort for his hard work, energy, and dedication as co-Chair of the Geneva International Discussions and as EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia,” said Catherine Ashton. “Philippe has worked with patience and objectivity to help the parties to the conflicts resolve their differences, and has earned their trust. I look to them to place similar trust in his successor.”

Philippe Lefort who served as EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia ends his mandate on 31 January 2014.

The statement says EU remains firmly committed to conflict resolution in the South Caucasus, including through its co-chairmanship of the Geneva International Discussion and its active support for the OSCE-led Minsk Group peace process.

The EU will appoint a successor to Philippe Lefort in the coming weeks to ensure continuity in this vital role.