On 6 October 2009, the sixth meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), chaired by the United Nations, was held in Gali.
Participants continued their discussion concerning the movement of the local population between Gali and Zugdidi districts, taking into account humanitarian considerations. They discussed in particular the situation with regard to school children. As regards the latter, the overall situation was assessed as satisfactory. The matter will, however, be kept under review by the IPRM.
Participants reviewed incidents that have occurred since the last IPRM meeting, and also provided further elements of clarification with regard to incidents and issues that were discussed during the previous IPRM meeting. The issue of helicopter flights along and in the vicinity of the Inguri River was again discussed, and participants agreed to study the matter further on the basis of evidence presented by a participant during the next meeting with a view to resolving outstanding concerns.
With regard to the issue of maritime incidents in the Black Sea, the Chair provided, as requested by participants, a technical overview of the existing dispute settlement mechanisms within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Participants exchanged views on this issue and agreed that maritime incidents with potential security consequences must be avoided.
Once again, the willingness by participants to engage on substantive matters and to exchange information and provide clarification on contentious issues ensured that the meeting was productive.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 20 October 2009.