Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton betreurd niet doorgaan vergadering Incident Preventie en Respons Mechanisme (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 27 April 2012 A

Statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton i on the cancelled meeting of the Incident Prevention

and Response Mechanism

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"The EU regrets that the Abkhazia Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meeting on 24th April was cancelled at the last minute due to certain conditions set by the Abkhaz de facto authorities. The determination of the composition of the delegation of the EU at the IPRM meeting by another participant is unacceptable.

Any challenge to established and agreed procedures of the Geneva International Discussions can have serious consequences. As stated in the Statement of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions on 25 April, the IPRM's have been acknowledged by all participants of the Geneva Discussions as an important tool for addressing security issues as well as other issues on the ground.

The EU Monitoring Mission plays an important role in the IPRM's within its stabilization, normalization and confidence-building mandate. We express continuedfull confidence in its leadership.

The EU expresses its hope that the IPRM can soon meet again to the benefit of all participants."