EUMM Mission Head, Georgia’s Deputy Defence Minister discuss cooperation
The security environment in the Black Sea region on the backdrop of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, and the situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia were also a topic of the meeting. Photo: Defence Ministry.
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Marek Szczygiel, the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, on Tuesday discussed cooperation between the body and Georgian authorities with Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Defence Minister of Georgia.
The EUMM official and representatives of the Mission were hosted by Chikovani in the discussion that also involved a review of future plans between the sides, the Ministry said.
The security environment in the Black Sea region on the backdrop of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, and the situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia were also a topic of the meeting.
Szczygiel emphasised the importance of EUMM’s cooperation with the Ministry, while Chikovani noted the role of the Mission as the only international monitoring mechanism in the process of maintaining stability with regards to Georgia’s occupied territories.
She also, highlighted measures of the cooperation between the sides within the framework of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, and the package of financial assistance allocated to Georgia within the framework of the European Peace Facility.
Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Defence Minister of Georgia, has been awarded the National Order of Merit under a decree of the President of France Emmanuel Macron for “exceptional contribution” to the deepening of cooperation between the countries, the Georgian Defence Ministry announced on Monday.
The ongoing war in Ukraine, the “difficult” security environment and “hybrid threats” from Russia were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between the Deputy Defence Ministers of Georgia and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges James Appathurai.
Marek Szczygiel the new head of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to Georgia said he is “looking forward to working with the great and dedicated team” of the mission. Szczygiel, a long serving Polish diplomat, was officially appointed as the EUMM head earlier today.
The EU Council has prolonged the mandate of the European Union monitoring mission in Georgia (EUMM) until December 14, 2022. EUMM announced on Friday that the decision follows a strategic review of the mission by the Political and Security Committee.