The Head of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM), Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, visited EUMM’s Field Office Zugdidi’s area of responsibility in western Georgia on 31 July and 1 August.
Ambassador Szczygieł paid introductory visits to Mission interlocutors and joined EUMM monitors on a patrol to the Abkhaz Administrative Boundary Line (ABL), including to Enguri Bridge controlled crossing point, which remains closed for regular cross-ABL traffic.
During a meeting with Malkhaz Toria, 1st Deputy State Representative for the Administrative borders of Abasha, Zugdidi, Martvili, Mestia, Senaki, Chkhorotsku, Tsalenjikha, Khobi and Poti municipalities, on 31 July, the Head of Mission expressed hope for the swift resumption of the IPRM meetings for the Abkhaz theatre in Gali, which have been on hold for two years. He appreciated the very good cooperation between the Mission’s Field Office in Zugdidi and local authorities. Both also discussed challenges for the local economy related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged closures of the controlled crossing points at the ABL.
On the same day, the Head of EUMM paid a visit to the Poti headquarters of the Georgian Coast Guard Department, where he discussed with its commander, Captain (GC) Ramaz Papidze, the current security situation in the Black Sea region and in Georgian territorial waters.
Following a patrol along the ABL in the Ganmukhuri, Khurcha and Shamgona areas on 1 August, Ambassador Szczygieł headed to Korstkheli Monastery to meet with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Georgian Orthodox Church. During the discussion, the Head of EUMM enquired about perspectives for renewed cross-ABL contacts between clergymen in light of the current closure of contro
lled crossing points. Both interlocutors devoted particular attention to the ecclesiastical situation in Abkhazia and its impact on the religious life of conflict-affected communities.
At the end of his visit to Field Office Zugdidi and its area of responsibility, Ambassador Szczygieł thanked EUMM personnel for their hard work and commitment to the Mission, also during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a meeting with Malkhaz Toria, 1st Deputy State Representative for the Administrative borders of Abasha, Zugdidi, Martvili, Mestia, Senaki, Chkhorotsku, Tsalenjikha, Khobi and Poti municipalities, the Head of Mission expressed hope for the swift resumption of the IPRM meetings in Gali
The Head of EUMM discusses the current security situation in the Black Sea region and in Georgian territorial waters with the Georgian Coast Guard Department
commander, Captain (GC) Ramaz Papidze
Ambassador Marek Szczygieł meets his
s Eminence Metropolitan Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Georgian Orthodox Church