The 50th meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali, chaired by the UN, with participation of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), was held on 25 October 2017.
The meeting was conducted in a constructive and business like atmosphere. It was preceded by presentations on combatting crime in conflict or post conflict environments by international police experts.
In line with EUMM assessments, participants agreed that the overall security situation on the ground, since the last IPRM, has remained relatively stable.
While participants positions diverged on some principles, all expressed their support for the IPRM format, particularly the Hotline, which is facilitated by the EUMM.
Georgian participants raised a number of cases where its citizens have been detained, and Abkhazian participants raised a case of one Abkhazian resident detained on Tbilisi Administered Territory.
Georgian and Abkhazian participants expressed an openness to cooperate further on law enforcement issues of common concern. The EUMM welcomes steps towards a stronger cross Administrative Boundary Line cooperation on issues of common concern relating to security.
Based on ideas submitted by the EUMM, a discussion took place on the possibility of enhancing advance notice mechanisms regarding security actors activities, in order to strengthen transparency and build confidence.
Participants acknowledged the commemoration of the 50th session of the Gali IPRM format.
The next IPRM meeting will take place in Gali on 28 November 2017.
