82nd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti

ERGNETI, 16 November 2017 - On 16 November 2017, the 82nd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting was held in Ergneti. Erik Hoeeg, Acting 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 event.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the incidents and occurrences that have taken place since the previous IPRM meeting.

The security situation on the administrative boundary line (ABL) was discussed and was assessed as relatively stable. However, concerns were expressed over several specific cases of detention and shooting of firearms in the vicinity of the ABL.

The installation of new barbed wire, fences and signs, and the way these activities are affecting people residing close to the ABL were deliberated.

The importance of early notification, via the Hotline, on planned military events close to the ABL was once again stressed and the participants agreed on the list of activities to be notified.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to utilize the full potential of the IPRM format in order to identify concrete solutions to problems on the ground and expressed appreciation of the effectiveness of the Hotline in defusing possible tensions.

In the course of the meeting, the Acting Head of EUMM introduced the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign and offered the IPRM participants to wear the White Ribbons, symbolising the pledge to never commit or condone violence against women.

The next IPRM meeting will take place on 19 December 2017.