European Parliament delegation visits occupation line in central Georgia to observe elements of Russian aggression
The European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia accompanied the MEPs in the village of Odzisi. Photo: EUMM Georgia.
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A six-member delegation of the European Parliament, on a visit to Georgia, on Thursday observed the consequences of the Russian aggression in the country by visiting the occupation line near the central Georgian village of Odzisi.
The European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, working along the administrative boundary since the Russia-Georgia war in 2008, accompanied the MEPs at the site, briefing them about the consequences of the conflict and violations of human rights on the occupied territories.
In Odzisi, the @EP_ForeignAff delegation were able to observe ‘borderisation’ elements with their own eyes. @EUMMGeorgia_HoM Marek Szczygieł stressed how the closure of the crossing point negatively affects the freedom of movement of the conflict-affected population. pic.twitter.com/2Ursl2hypo
— EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (@EUMMGeorgia) July 21, 2022
At the occupation line, which separates the breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region from the rest of Georgia, EUMM Mission Head Marek Szczygieł stressed how the closure of the crossing point over the boundary negatively affected the freedom of movement of the conflict-affected population.
Before their visit to the line, the EP delegation, led by the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, David McAllister, met with the Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, President Salome Zourabichvili, members of the opposition parties, Public Defender and non-governmental organisations this week.
The group, which includes MEPs Željana Zovko, Sven Mikser, Viola von Cramon, Thierry Mariani and Assita Kanko, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili later today.
The EUMM said on Thursday it had conducted over 80,000 patrols since its deployment in September 2008 near the occupation lines in both Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions to facilitate the resumption of a safe and normal life for the local communities living on both sides of the line.
Their mandate is valid throughout all of Georgia, however, the de facto authorities in the two occupied regions have so far denied their access to the territories under Russian control.
Implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union to Georgia for membership was discussed on Wednesday by the representatives of Georgian Parliamentary opposition groups and members of the European Parliament delegation, led by David McAllister.
Georgia’s European Union integration and implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the EU to the country for membership were discussed on Wednesday in a meeting between Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and David McAllister, the Head of a European Parliament delegation.
The fact that “serious work” on the implementation of the 12-point conditions outlined by the European Union to Georgia for membership is underway and both the ruling party and the opposition have presented their plans has “given us great hope”, David McAllister, the Head of a European Parliament delegation said in a joint press conference with Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi on Wednesday.
Georgia must understand that the European perspective granted to the country by the European Parliament and the European Council is “extremely important”, President Salome Zourabichvili said in a joint press conference with Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday.
A European Parliament delegation that was on a visit to Georgia this week left the country on Friday after receiving a present from a civic activist living in central Georgia’s Russian-occupied Akhalgori district.
MEP Viola von Cramon on Friday said she disapproved of the plans of a part of the Georgian opposition to create parallel groups and boycott a working format proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party for the country to fulfil the European Union's 12-point conditions and obtain the membership candidate status in December.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MPs on Friday met local self-government officials and citizens to discuss the current circumstances and needs of the residents living in villages located near the occupation line separating central Georgia's Russian-occupied region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) from the rest of the country.
US foreign and national security policy expert and former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker on Sunday said Russia's “imperialist wars” against its neighbours had not started in Ukraine but had “happened” in Georgia, and “we can't forget that Russia is still in Georgia”.
The head of the State Security Service of Georgia, Grigol Liluashvili, on Friday said the occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia by Russia was the main threat to Georgia's statehood.
European Union ambassadors on Wednesday agreed a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on a decision on non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia.
The European Parliament on Thursday agreed not to accept travel documents that Russia has issued in the areas it illegally occupies in Ukraine and Georgia, the press office of the EU legislative body said.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Tuesday held a farewell meeting with Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, with the latter’s diplomatic term in the country coming to a close.
The Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Wednesday hosted the fifth high-level Strategic Security Dialogue between Georgia and the European Union, reflecting the “strong level” of commitment by both parties to take the cooperation forward, including foreign and security policy, in accordance with the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.