131st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti

ERGNETI, 31 March 2026 – The 131^st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place today in Ergneti. The meeting was co-facilitated by Christoph Späti, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, and Bettina Patricia Boughani, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM).

The EUMM and OSCE co-facilitators welcomed the participants and expressed appreciation for their continued engagement in the IPRM format. They encouraged all sides to maintain a practical, solution-oriented approach aimed at addressing the human security concerns of local residents, including women, men and children, living on both sides of the administrative boundary line (ABL).

The co‑facilitators advocated for the lifting of freedom of movement restrictions during the upcoming Orthodox Easter holiday period. They emphasized the importance of allowing local communities on both sides of the ABL to participate in religious traditions, particularly visits to cemeteries. At the same time, they reiterated their call for the full re‑opening of crossing points, highlighting the positive impact such measures have on the daily lives of conflict‑affected communities. 

Participants discussed recent security developments along the ABL, including the installation of physical barriers, such as fences and barbed wire, as well as activities of security actors. In this context, the EUMM and OSCE reiterated their concern over the practice of detentions and urged a humanitarian approach towards the resolution of existing detention cases.

Participants also discussed other developments related to human security, including freedom of movement for the conflict-affected population on both sides of the ABL, including specific cases like Ms Tamara Mearakishvili. As co-facilitators, EUMM and OSCE continue to advocate for the freedom of movement for all residents affected by the conflict and facilitate dialogue at the IPRM, so that participants can discuss such issues directly and seek solutions to improve the lives of conflict affected population.

As in previous meetings, participants recognized the importance of cooperation on irrigation and the vital role played by the EUMM-managed Hotline. They highlighted its importance as a rapid and reliable channel for information exchange, contributing significantly to reducing tensions and managing incidents effectively.

The participants agreed to convene the next regular IPRM meeting on 14 May 2026.