IPRM meeting in Ergneti addresses security incidents and humanitarian issues
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, November 20, 2025
The 128th meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism took place on November 18 in the village of Ergneti near the occupation line with the Russia controlled Tskhinvali region. The session was co-facilitated by Bettina Patricia Boughani, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia, and Christoph Späti, the OSCE Chairperson in Office's Special Representative for the South Caucasus.
According to the State Security Service of Georgia, participants reviewed "all important incidents" reported since the previous meeting. A technical session was also held on irrigation issues affecting villages near the occupation line. The SSSG said its representatives again demanded accountability for the killing of Georgian citizen Tamaz Ginturi and called for action against those responsible. They also stressed the situation of Georgian citizens held in illegal detention, pressed for their release, and condemned ongoing "borderization" activity in the area. Humanitarian difficulties and limits on freedom of movement were also discussed.
In a joint statement, the EU Monitoring Mission and the OSCE said they welcomed the "continued commitment" of all sides to the IPRM format. They noted that participants exchanged views on recent security developments and on the challenges facing conflict affected communities, including restrictions on movement. The co facilitators repeated their concern over detentions and urged "swift releases," while encouraging increased use of the EUMM hotline for timely communication. They added that easing movement across the Administrative Boundary Line would support trust between communities and help families separated by the "border" to reunite during the holiday period.
After the meeting, Igor Kochiev, the representative of the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali, described the recent period as "relatively calm" and said three "border" violations had been recorded, including one he attributed to EUMM personnel. He again demanded the removal of the police post near Tsnelisi, known as the Chorchana checkpoint. The Georgian side reiterated its stance. SSSG representative Irakli Antadze said the police post "poses no threat" and that any related risks have already been neutralized.
The final IPRM meeting of the year is scheduled for December 22.
