Co-chairs of Geneva International Discussion say ‘borderisation’ raises tension on ground
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Co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), who met with the Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani on Wednesday, have released a statement on the “borderisation” process near occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.
The recent developments in the Gugutiantkari area have raised tensions on the ground and have humanitarian consequences for the local people. As with all such fencing, the newly erected structures hinder freedom of movement for people living there, prevent them from reaching their orchards and threaten access to irrigation water”, the GID co-chairs stated.
- Georgian FM: gov't to use "all opportunities" with Geneva discussions to stop unlawful borderisation
The Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions issued a statement, read more here: https://t.co/D1HhEOw2wt
— OSCE (@OSCE) August 28, 2019
Their visit is part of the GID co-chairs’ “continual efforts to address the potential effects of this and other developments”, ahead of the OSCE-EUMM-led Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting that will be held on August 29.
We have been and will continue to be in contact with all relevant actors, drawing their attention to this and other pressing issues, and call on them to make full and responsible use of the existing mechanisms for communication to resolve the current and other concerns”, they concluded.
Earlier that day the GID co-chairs also visited the village of Gugutiantkari in Gori Municipality, where the occupation forces have been erecting artificial barriers since August 7.
The European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar wrote on his Twitter account that “borderisation” cannot be accepted.
Thank you to team of #EUMM and HoM @erik_hoeg for instructive visit to Gugutiantkari today. Fencing divides communities and causes hardship. “Borderisation” cannot be accepted. pic.twitter.com/pktmJNJnY4
— Toivo Klaar (@ToivoKlaar) August 28, 2019
The Head of the European Union Monitoring mission (EUMM) Erik Hoeg also tweeted that "borderistaion" in Georgia will be discussed at Thursday's IPRM meeting in Ergneti.
Together with 2 GID co-chairs I joined #EUMM patrol this morning to observe "borderization" near Gugutiantkari at Administrative Boundary Line. New fencing further divides communities. Will also be discussed at an IPRM meeting in Ergneti tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/jmxJcgiKiV
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) August 28, 2019
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has called on the international community to take “effective measures to stop the illegal activities of the occupation forces” in Georgia.
It also called on the Russian Federation “to immediately stop its illegal activities” and withdraw its forces from Georgian territory to ensure “sustainable peace and security” on the ground.