EUMM head to Georgia reports ‘no substantial progress’ with occupation forces after 7th Ergneti meeting
The seventh extraordinary meeting has been held in Ergneti earlier today to ease tensions at the occupation line. Photo: Erik Hoeg's Twitter page.
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EUMM head to Georgia Erik Hoeg says that the 7th special meeting in Ergneti, which was dedicated to easing tension at the villages of Tsnelisi and Chorchana, has ended without substantial progress.
The Georgian State Security Service has reported that the Russian-controlled de facto government of Tskhinvali still continues to demand the removal of an ordinary police post from the village of Chorchana, Khashuri municipality, which is located on the Tbilisi-controlled territory.
The de facto authorities say that the crossing points to the region, which has been closed since September 4, will reopen when the police post is removed, as the post “creates threats to locals and is too close to the village of Tsnelisi [which is under Russian-control].”
7th technical meeting in IPRM format regarding situation in Tsnelisi-Chorchana just ended. #EUMM presented overview of developments based on its 24/7 patrolling. No substantial progress. Participants committed to continue discussions on how to de-escalate further, however. pic.twitter.com/GmCJrErekA
— Erik Hoeg (@erik_hoeg) November 12, 2019
We have also raised the recent illegal detention of two Georgian citizens by occupation forces. We were told that they have been detained for so-called illegally crossing the border and that their trial is being held in Tskhinvali now,” the Georgian State Security official Irakli Antadze said, adding that the individuals are safe.
Tension on the ground started at the end of August when Tbilisi opened a police post in the village of Chorchana.
Tskhinvali demanded the removal of the post shortly, saying at the time it “posed threats to our security.”
Tbilisi refused to do so and the occupying forces opened two new “police posts” at the village of Chorchana, on Tbilisi-administered territory and also closed so-called checkpoints.
Residents of the Chorchana village reported earlier this year that they saw trees marked in yellow in the Chorchana forest, which contains ores of talc and marble.
They said that the occupation forces could be interested in the forest and the mines.
To prevent incidents or the creeping occupation Tbilisi opened a police post in the village of Chorchana in August, bordering Tsnelisi village which is now under Russian control.
Occupation forces have illegally detained two Georgian citizens at the village of Kodistskaro, Kaspi municipality, near the occupation line with Georgia’s Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region, the Georgian State Security Service has confirmed. The agency said that the issue will be raised at today’s 7th extraordinary meeting in Ergneti.
De facto authorities of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region say that the tension at the villages of Chorchana and Tsnelisi will be eased only if and after Tbilisi removes a police post in Chocrhana, located on the territory which is under the control of the central Georgian government.
De facto authorities of Georgia’s Russian-controlled Tskhinvali region say that the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) monitors were held yesterday as they “illegally crossed the border in the village of Tsnelisi (Kareli Municipality, under the Russian control),” adding that the action by the EUMM was “provocative.”
Georgian Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili has stated in parliament earlier today that at the moment she was delivering a speech in parliament, Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region was “was almost fully isolated” from the rest of Georgia.
Amnesty International says that famous Georgian doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, who was abducted by Russian-controlled occupation forces on November 9, must be “immediately released” and the de facto government of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region must reopen crossing points with the rest of Georgia.
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has met with EUMM mission head to Georgia Erik Hoeg, a Danish diplomat who has ended his chairmanship in EUMM Georgia.
Russian-controlled occupation forces have erected “illegal installations” at the village of Chorchana, Khashuri municipality, on Tbilisi-administered territory, the Georgian State Security Service has reported earlier today.
Acting US Ambassador to Georgia Elisabeth Rood has addressed the Russian-controlled occupation forces to open crossing points between Tskhinvali region and the rest of Georgia and “allow locals to live without fear.”
The US is concerned by current developments at the occupation line, near the village of Chorchana, acting US Ambassador to Georgia Elisabeth Rood has stated earlier today, referring to the erection of new barriers by Russian-controlled occupation forces at the village of Chorchana, Khashuri municipality, on the Tbilisi-controlled territory earlier this month.
EUMM Georgia, which is the only monitoring mission patrolling at occupation lines in Georgia, has a new head. Marek Szczygiel, a long serving Polish diplomat, has today been appointed the new head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia has reported.
Georgian Foreign Ministry says that Russia has been particularly active in its creeping annexation of more Georgian territories over the past two months and its (Russia’s) fight against the US-built Lugar Centre in Tbilisi has become intense.