129th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti

ERGNETI, 22 December 2025 – The 129th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting took place on 22 December 2025 in Ergneti. The meeting was co-facilitated by Bettina Patricia Boughani, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Christoph Späti, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.

At the final IPRM meeting of 2025, participants expressed their appreciation for the format and reaffirmed their dedication to its continuation in the future. Building on this shared commitment, the co-facilitators emphasized the format’s vital role in addressing security-related developments and in finding practical solutions for women, men, and children on both sides of the administrative boundary line (ABL).

Participants discussed all recent security developments and challenges faced by conflict-affected communities, including restrictions on freedom of movement and safeguarding energy infrastructure and supply. Discussions also touched upon the resolution of cases of lost livestock through rapid exchange of information by using the hotline. The co-facilitators reiterated their concern that the continued practice of detentions negatively impacted perceptions of the security of local population. They called for a prompt resolution of the detention cases, including through a humanitarian approach. The co-facilitators also emphasized that increased movement across the ABL would help build trust and enhance the sense of security among local communities. 

In this regard, the co-facilitators advocated for extending the December opening of controlled crossing points into January to facilitate increased movement during the holiday season. Such an extension would allow families separated by the ABL to reunite, participate in religious celebrations, and preserve essential social connections during this time traditionally devoted to family gatherings.

Finally, all participants commended the excellent operation of the EUMM-managed Hotline as an effective tool for sharing reliable and timely information on security and humanitarian matters.

The first IPRM meeting of 2026, which will mark the 130th session of the format, is scheduled to take place on 4 February.