36th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti

ERGNETI, 30 July 2013 - The 36th meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place today in Ergneti, co-facilitated by the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) a.i. Gerard A. Fischer, and Ambassador Andrii Deshchytsia, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Conflicts.

Participants reviewed the incidents and occurrences that have taken place since the previous IPRM meeting. All present appreciated that the situation has generally been calm and quiet.

The increased level of fencing activities along the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) and its consequences for the local communities, especially regarding restrictions to freedom of movement and the adverse impact on their livelihood were mentioned.

The co-facilitators reiterated the proposal to pay joint visits to areas of concern, following the discussion at the latest round of the Geneva International Discussions.

Safety measures concerning the on-going agricultural works conducted in the vicinity of the ABL were also raised.

The EUMM and the OSCE encouraged participants to provide an update on their efforts with regard to the consideration of possible pragmatic solutions to problems affecting the daily life of local communities. Livelihood issues, in particular access to water and visits to cemeteries were specifically addressed.

Issues related to detained and missing persons were discussed; participants took note of some positive developments.

The next IPRM meeting will take place in Ergneti on 16 September 2013.

The Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms were established under the Geneva International Discussions, which are co-chaired by the OSCE, the EU and the UN.