Georgin PM meets EU Commissioner Hahn: ‘the EUMM should cover the occupied regions’

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has met with the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn earlier today. Both officials stated that the European Union Monitoring mission (EUMM) should enter the two Russian-occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, the government of Georgia press office reports.

• EU's eyes and ears on Russia's creeping occupation

My bilateral programme will comprise meetings with PM @GakhariaGiorgi and FM @DZalkaliani as well with the chairman of the #Parliament of #Georgia, the Chairpersons of the #EuropeanIntegration and #ForeignAffairs Committees + Representatives of the Parl. Political Fractions 2/2

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) September 16, 2019

As of now the EUMM is not allowed in the regions to carry out monitoring, and only covers Tbilisi-administered territory. 

Hahn and Gakharia spoke about the importance of strengthening international security mechanisms and a strong reaction of the international community to Russia’s illegal activities in Georgia,” the government of Georgia press office stated. 

Gakharia said that Georgia is faithful to its Euro-Atlantic course and the state government does it utmost to preserve the achievements made in the EU-Georgia relations.

Hahn and Gakharia discussed the proportional elections in Georgia scheduled for 2020 and the court reform, the press office reported. 

Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia reiterated at the meeting that the country stands firm on its Euro-Atlantic choice. Photo: government of Georgia press office. 

The current developments regarding the Georgian Supreme Court is in focus of the EU,” Hahn said, adding that it is important for Georgia to take all international recommendations regarding elections into account.

“The EU remains as the firm supporter of Georgia. For us Georgia is a leading country in terms of development, especially in terms of rule of law, and especially in the Eastern Partnership. We want  Georgia to retain the status,” Hahn said. 

Hahn has already participated in the ground breaking ceremony of the first European School in Tbilisi and met the students of the New School, which opened last year.