EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia offered 2-year extension

The European Council has extended the mandate of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia) by two years, until December 14, 2016.

EUMM Georgia is an unarmed civilian monitoring mission tasked with ensuring peace and stability for people who live on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Line in Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).

Since its establishment in October 2008, the organisation has supported the stabilisation and normalisation of the situation at ground-level following the EU-mandated six-point agreement Georgia and Russia after the August 2008 war.

"Through the EU Monitoring Mission, the EU is providing concrete support for peace and stability in the region. The EU continues to firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.  

The EUMM contributed to the reduction of tensions through liaison, facilitation of contacts between parties and other confidence-building measures. The mission worked in close cooperation with partners, particularly the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and consistent with other EU activity.

The EUMM Georgia headquarters are in Tbilisi, Georgia. Toivo Klaar has led the EUMM Georgia since September 2013 but will soon be replaced by a new head of Mission. EUMM Georgia has a budget of €18.3 million available for the first year of its renewed mandate.