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The EU Monitoring Mission does not accept the moving of the de facto border around South Ossetia and installing of new barbed wire. (Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–The recent installation of fences near Ditsi is unacceptable, EUMM says in a statement.

Staff from the EU Monitoring Mission arrived in the village Ditsi, where Russian soldiers have erected new barbed wire which moves the de facto border 300 meters into Georgian-controlled territory.

Ambassador Andrzej Tyszkiewicz, Head of EUMM, was also present in the village in order to collect information a few days before the upcoming meeting of the Incident Prevention and Reaction Mechanism (IPRM).

“EUMM has observed an increase in the construction of fences and obstacles, which has a negative impact on the local population,” Andrzej Tyszkiewicz remarked, “this may prompt frustration and further protest, which could in turn lead to further destabilisation in these sensitive areas.”

He also noted that the freedom of movement of the local population is a key priority for EUMM.

“The installation of fences impedes people’s livelihood and divides families and communities. This is unacceptable,” he added.

Jean-Claude Mignon, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, who is currently visiting Georgia, today told journalists that he only learned about this issue from journalists, even though he had met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Paata Zakareishvili, Minister for Reintegration, who said that he informed Mignon about those recent events during the meeting.

Mignon said this is an issue about which PACE cannot remain silent, but will react, and if the information is confirmed they will condemn it.

The PACE president said he will discuss this issue at the next scheduled meeting within the frames of his visit including with Giorgi Margvelashvili, the education minister and candidate for president for the Georgian Dream coalition.