EUMM inaugurates new Tbilisi office on first day of extended mandate
In November, the EU extended the mandate of the EUMM Mission in Georgia until December 14, 2024. Photo: EUMM in Georgia press office
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The European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, the only foreign mission in the country observing developments adjacent to the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), on Thursday inaugurated its new headquarters in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
On the first day of its extended mandate to 2024, the Mission moved to new premises in the downtown Chavchavadze Avenue, where the EU Delegation to Georgia is also located, leaving its earlier office in the city’s Krtsanisi district after 14 years.
- EUMM Georgia marks 14th anniversary in country as only foreign mission monitoring Russian occupation
Marking the occasion, Tibor Kozma, the Acting Head of Mission, said the move into the new premises, together with the renewal of EUMM’s mandate, had demonstrated the EU’s “strong, long-term commitment to peace and stability in Georgia”, and pledged his monitors would continue to patrol “day and night, helping to maintain stability in the region.”
"This demonstrates the strong, long-term commitment of the EU to stability & security in #Georgia and the wider region."
— EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (@EUMMGeorgia) December 15, 2022
Today, on the 1st day of our extended mandate 2022-2024, @EUMMGeorgia_HoM Dr. Tibor Kozma led the inauguration of our new Headquarters in Tbilisi. @EUCouncil pic.twitter.com/9MTqsMCFXp
He said the new mandate would allow the Mission to “better adapt” to existing challenges and reinforce its focus on areas such as conflict-related cultural heritage and cyber security, noting the newly established position of Environmental Adviser would address issues at the intersection of climate and security.
The extension of our mandate shows the strong commitment of the EU and its Member States to stability in Georgia and the wider region. In October 2023 the Mission will mark its 15 years of presence in Georgia, so this is a long-term commitment that is at the core of the EU security strategy. We are here to stay as long as necessary”, Kozma said.
"I'm very happy about the @EUCouncil decision to extend the EUMM mandate for another 2 years. It shows the strong commitment of the EU and 27 Member States to stability in Georgia and wider region."
— EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (@EUMMGeorgia) December 16, 2022
???? Acting @EUMMGeorgia_HoM, Dr. Tibor Kozma, on the renewal of our mandate ???? pic.twitter.com/2pOL99t0Wa
EUMM Georgia was deployed in September 2008, following an EU-mediated ceasefire which ended the war between Russia and Georgia in August of that year, however Russia and de facto authorities have prevented its access to the occupied regions.
- See Agenda.ge multimedia: EU’s eyes and ears on Russia’s creeping occupation of Georgia
Employing 330 staff members stationed in three field offices in Zugdidi, Gori and Tbilisi, as well as in the headquarters in Tbilisi, the Mission currently involves representatives of 25 out of 27 EU member states, acting based on four lines of operation with regards to the occupation - stabilisation, normalisation, confidence-building and informing EU policy.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday thanked Marek Szczygieł, the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, for “effective work” in office, ahead of the end of term in the mission for the official.
Marek Szczygieł, the head of the European Union monitoring mission in Georgia, on Wednesday hosted a delegation of the Council of European Union Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the central Georgian village of Odzisi, adjacent to the country’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, to brief them about consequences of the occupation.
The State Security Service of Georgia reported today that the occupying forces carried out illegal activities near the village of Orchosani in occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region, which "are provocative and harm the security environment on the ground”.
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 Council of the European Union has appointed Dimitrios Karabalis, a Greek diplomat, as the new Head of Mission for the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, by the decision of the Political and Security Committee, the Council announced on Tuesday.
Dimitrios Karabalis, the head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, on Tuesday responded to the 15th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war by saying “consequences of armed conflicts are long-lasting, and the road to reconciliation and recovery can be challenging”.