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.
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.
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.