The Council approves the launch of an EU Mission in Georgia

The European Ministers for Foreign Affairs, meeting in Brussels on 15 and 16 September, adopted the Council Joint Action enabling the commencement of an EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia). This civilian Mission will be deployed in phases, with the first phase beginning immediately. The operational phases of the Mission will begin between now and 1 October 2008, with a team of at least 200 EU observers.

Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, President of the Council
© Council of the European Union

The purpose of the Mission is to provide civilian monitoring of actions by the various parties, including full compliance throughout Georgia with the six-point Agreement achieved on 12 August 2008.

Stabilisation in the short term requires in particular the withdrawal of troops to reduce the risk of a resumption of hostilities. The Mission is also intended to contribute to long-term stability throughout Georgia and the surrounding region.

This autonomous Mission, which is being conducted under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), has a budget of approximately EUR 31 million for the next 12 months, financed from the Community budget. It will be deployed in close coordination with the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). It will also act in complementarity with the mandates of the international observers of the United Nations Observer Mission (UNOMIG) and of the OSCE, currently present in Georgia.

As far as its structure is concerned, the Mission will have its headquarters in Tbilisi and geographically distributed field offices. The observers deployed in the Caucasus will be assisted by a support element established in the General Secretariat of the Council in Brussels.

In addition to the Joint Action, which is the legal basis for the Mission, the Council adopted conclusions reaffirming the political will of the EU to do its utmost to ensure that the Agreement of 8 September recorded at Moscow and Tbilisi thanks to EU mediation is fully implemented and that efforts lead to a peaceful and lasting solution. To this end, the Council has appointed Mr Pierre Morel as the Special Representative of the European Union in Georgia.

Zimbabwe

The Council welcomes the conclusion of a political agreement between the parties in Zimbabwe on 11 September 2008, thanks to the mediation efforts by the South African President Thabo Mbeki. The Agreement should bring acts of intimidation and violence to an end and pave the way for democratic reform, including respect for human rights, and the restoration of the country's economic and social situation.

The Council stresses its willingness to assist Zimbabwe to improve its humanitarian situation, which remains a cause for concern, and urges the country's leaders to accept delivery of food aid. The Council intends to adopt economic support measures and measures to support a transitional government taking steps to restore democracy and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, particularly by organising transparent multiparty elections.

Somalia

In its conclusions on Somalia, the Council called for a swift return to peace, security and development in Somalia. It reaffirmed its willingness to assist Somalia, in particular by supporting the capacity of the Somali police, and to continue its efforts to improve the humanitarian situation.

The acts of piracy off the Somali coast are a matter of concern. The European Union supports UN Security Council Resolutions 1814 and 1816. To protect the delivery of food aid by sea, the Council decided to establish a coordination unit with the task of supporting the surveillance and protection activities carried out by some Member States off the Somali coast. The Council had already approved a plan for implementing this military coordination operation (EU NAVCO).

Belarus

The Council welcomes the release in August of three political prisoners in Belarus. Their release sends a positive signal in the approach to the parliamentary elections on 28 September, despite a human rights situation which is still worrying. The EU's contacts with Belarus have been kept to the minimum, with, among other things, the putting on hold of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. If the elections are conducted peacefully and in accordance with democratic rules, the Council is prepared to begin to review the restrictive measures against Belarusian leaders and to take steps which may lead to dialogue with that country and the resumption of official, commercial and cultural exchanges with Belarus, and to a significant increase in its bilateral aid.

More information:
Council press release (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference 
Factsheet: European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia (fr) (en)

Forthcoming events
Justice and Home Affairs Council on 25 September
Competitiveness Council on 25 and 26 September