On 11 May 2017, the 77th meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) was held in Ergneti. Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas, Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and ambassador Guenther Baechler, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, co-facilitated the proceedings.
Ambassador Baechler opened the proceedings and ambassador Jankauskas provided a short overall summary of events since the last meeting. These included hotline activations, noting that some of which were quickly resolved with the cooperative approach from all concerned. The Easter period had passed smoothly. He also underlined the importance of the practical discussions on agriculture which took place on 18 April. On this latter issue, he encouraged all actors to continue the debate in order to find a balanced resolution.
Participants discussed once again the ongoing imprisonment of Giorgi Giunashvili.
While discussing some occurencies involving security personnel, vehicles or aerial equipment, participants underscored the need to avoid incidents and tensions along the ABL. Ambassador Jankauskas urged all parties to use the hotline platform whenever there was concern over any activities.
Deliberations on the installation of barbed wire and fences ensued, including its effect on people residing near the ABL. All actors were entreated to refrain from any action which may create tensions, and further complicate life for the local population living in these areas. In this context, ambassador Baechler urged the parties to focus on addressing concrete issues and finding ways to resolve them.
The co-facilitators emphasised the significance of the timely exchange of information on planned military and security related training and exercises in the vicinity of the ABL, use of the hotline, and its importance in helping to reduce risk and increase predictability.
The next IPRM meeting will take place on 7 June 2017.
.JPG)
IPRM meeting participants gather in Ergneti
.JPG)
Discussions over agenda items have just started
.JPG)
Co-facilitators of the IPRM meeting
