On 22 September 2009, the fifth 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 local school children attending schools in Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha districts since the beginning of the new school year on 14 September. Whilst the situation appears overall satisfactory, some remaining questions will be addressed during the next IPRM meeting.
Recent maritime incidents in the Black Sea and the recent Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly were also discussed in brief, as they had been addressed in more detail during the seventh round of the Geneva International Discussions, which took place on 17 September 2009. On the issue of maritime incidents, participants agreed that the complex technical aspects of this matter are better addressed in the appropriate international fora.
Participants also reviewed some recent incidents and provided advance notice of sensitive activities that may take place in the near future.
The constructive engagement by all participants and their willingness to engage on substantive matters by sharing relevant information and clarifying outstanding issues contributed to a constructive and positive meeting.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the IPRM would take place in Gali on 6 October 2009.