ERGNETI, 31 March 2026 – The 131st 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 emphasised 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 recognised 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.
