Tbilisi, 1 March 2021— The President of the European Council Charles Michel visited today, for the very first time, parts of the Administrative Boundary Line with South Ossetia, with the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM).
EUMM Head of Mission, Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, welcomed the President of the European Council and joined him throughout his field visit in the Khurvaleti region.
In the village of Didi Khurvaleti, EUMM Monitors briefed the President on the negative impact that ‘borderisation’ features such as wire fences and watchtowers have on freedom of movement and other human rights of conflict-affected communities.
The Head of Mission and President further exchanged on the very concrete challenges that these communities continue to face on a daily basis, and which the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened.
During the visit, the Head of Mission thoroughly updated the President of the European Council on the work and activities of EUMM on the ground, and on the overall security situation.
The discussions also focused on the role of EUMM as part of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. The President of the European Council highlighted the importance of EUMM’s role in maintaining stability and building confidence.
The last President of the European Council visiting EUMM was Donald Tusk in July 2015: https://eumm.eu/en/press_and_public_information/features/5244/
BACKGROUND:
In addition to chairing European Council meetings and driving forward its work, the President of the European Council also ensures the external representation of the EU at the level of heads of state or government on issues related to the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), alongside the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who helps put into effect the CFSP and ensure its unity, consistency, and effectiveness.
The President of the European Council is elected by the European Council by a qualified majority, for a 2.5-year term, which is renewable once.
Charles Michel started his first term on 1 December 2019.
More information here: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/european-council/president/role/
EUMM Head of Mission Marek Szczygieł hosted the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, for a visit along the Administrative Boundary Line with South Ossetia, in the Khurvaleti area
In the village of Didi Khurvaleti, EUMM briefed him on local ‘borderisation’ features, such as wire fences and watchtowers, and how they impact the lives and human rights of conflict-affected communities living on both sides of the ABL
At the press point following his visit to the ABL, the President of the European Council highlighted the importance of EUMM’s role in maintaining stability and building confidence