EUMM mission head to Georgia highlights recent tension at occupation line in speech in Brussels
Erik Hoeg was appointed the head of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) Georgia, on 19 December 2017. Photo: EUMM Georgia press office.
Tweet 
Share
Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Georgia Erik Hoeg has briefed the Political and Security Committee (PSC) ambassadors from EU member states on the recent developments at the occupation line with Georgia’s currently Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (so-called South Ossetia) region in Brussels.
The EUMM is only international mission in Georgia which is able to monitor the situation at the occupation lines with Georgia’s two occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.
They are still not allowed [by Russia and de facto authorities] to enter the regions.
Good exchange in Brussels today with PSC Ambassadors about recent developments at the South Ossetian ABL and role of #EUMM in stabilising the situation on the ground. Appreciate atrong support expressed by EU member states for activities of Mission. pic.twitter.com/M1s7tRZhFO
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) October 15, 2019
The situation became tense on the ground at the end of August when Russian-occupied Tskhinvali protested the opening of an ordinary police post in the village of Chorchana, Khashuri municipality, on Tbilisi administered territory, citing ‘security threats to locals.’
After Tbilisi refused to remove the post the occupying forces constructed two new “police posts” on Tbilisi-administered territory, near the village of Tsnelisi, Kareli municipality [bordering Chorchana] and closed the so-called border with Akhalgori district.
Two crossing points at Tskhinvali occupation line - Odzisi and Sinaguri - have been closed since September 4, creating severe humanitarian situation on the ground.
The Political and Security Committee is responsible for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).