Ambassador Hansjörg HABER, Head of EUMM in Georgia and EU HR Javier Solana
The Council decided, on Monday 15 September 2008, to establish an autonomous civilian monitoring mission in Georgia. The mission was deployed on 1 October 2008, in accordance with the arrangements set out in the Agreement of 8 September 2008. In July 2009, the mandate of the mission was extended for another year until 14 September 2010.
The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia is an autonomous mission led by the EU under the European security and defence policy (ESDP).
Its objectives are to contribute to stability throughout Georgia and the surrounding region. In the short term, to contribute to the stabilisation of the situation, in accordance with the six-point Agreement and the subsequent implementing measures.
Its main tasks include:
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monitoring and analysing the situation pertaining to the stabilisation process, centred on full compliance of the six-point Agreement;
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monitoring and analysing the situation as regards normalisation building, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and
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contributing to the reduction of tensions through liaison, facilitation of contacts between parties and other confidence-building measures.
On 17 September 2008, Mr Hansjörg HABER was appointed as Head of EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia.
On 17 November 2009, the Council welcomed the mission's contribution to the overall EU effort towards conflict resolution in Georgia, especially by monitoring the implementation of the Agreements of 12 August and 8 September 2008. Given the cessation of the UN and OSCE monitoring missions, EUMM is now the sole international monitoring mission in Georgia. This has increased the significance of EUMM activities.
The Council welcomed the mission's contribution to stability, normalisation and confidence building in Georgia. The Council reiterated its support to the full implementation of EUMM's country-wide mandate, including access to the de-facto entities. While expressing its continued commitment to Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as to the principal of non-use of force, the Council emphasised the importance of measures to further build confidence among the parties, including through taking advantage of the agreed Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRM). This should enable human and trade contacts throughout Georgia leading to further improvement of living conditions for all populations affected by the conflict. In this context, the Council invited all parties to use all means at their disposal to contribute to these efforts.