OSCE suspends talks on Georgia mission

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says it has suspended talks on extending its monitoring mission in Georgia.

The 56-nation group said Thursday a Greek compromise plan to prolong the mission's mandate remains on the table but negotiations will be put on hold until further notice.

The OSCE has had a presence in Georgia since 1992 but is in the process of closing down because Russia blocked the extension of its mandate in December. Informal talks to prolong it have been going on ever since.

On Wednesday, a meeting meant to shore up consensus on the plan ended without agreement. At the meeting, Russia presented a version that reflected its recognition of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia as an independent state.