The United States, Washington, Aug. 20 / Trend , N.Bogdanova/
The European Union (EU) should continue pressure on the occupying Russian forces to allow EU Monitoring Mission's (EUMM) access to the occupied territories, because full-fledged policing and peacekeeping mechanisms are necessary to settle the conflicts, Georgian Ambassador to the United States Batu Kutelia believes.
"Anything that will strengthen and reinforce EUMM, would it be participation of the representatives from USA or any other measures are more than welcomed," Kutelia told Trend ..
On July 21, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria stated about the talks held with Washington which focus on including the U.S. representatives in the EUMM in Georgia. The EUMM is engaged in monitoring the situation on the border with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Reuters reported.
After Russia blocked OSCE and UNOMIG missions, role of the EUMM became essential, the ambassador believes.
Although some discussions have already started, full range procedures, including talks on enlargement of the mission are EU responsibility, he said.
Large-scale military operations were launched in South Ossetia on the night of Aug. 8. Georgian troops entered South Ossetia's capital Tskhinvali. Later Russian troops seized the town and drove troops back to Georgia. On Aug. 26, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In response, Tbilisi broke the diplomatic relations with Moscow and announced two unrecognized republics as the occupied territories.
"Meanwhile we also believe that EU should continue pressure on the occupying Russian forces to allow EUMM's access to the occupied territories," Kutelia said. "We believe that full-fledged policing and peacekeeping mechanisms are necessary to allow IDP return and restoration of Georgian territorial integrity."