PROVISIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION between the MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF GEORGIA  and  the EUROPEAN UNION MONITORING MISSION

I. Context:

1.1. This provisional arrangement is in compliance with the basic principles of the 6-Point Agreement, as endorsed by the President of Georgia, H. E. M. Saakashvili.

1.2. As part of the 6-Point Agreement, Georgia has committed itself to abstain from recourse to the use of force. Notwithstanding, no elements laid out in this Provisional Agreement shall contradict the basic principles laid out in the 6-Point Agreement.

1.3. This provisional arrangement is complementary to the "Provisional Mechanism for the Prevention and Settlement of Disputes (Technical Arrangements between the Ministry of  Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Head of Mission of the European Union Monitoring Mission)", concluded on October 10, 2008.

I.4. This provisional arrangement aims at providing a comprehensive, transparent and effective mechanism of interaction between the Ministry of Defence of Georgia (hereafter -MOD), represented by Minister Vasil Sikharulidze and the European Union Monitoring Mission (hereafter -EUMM), represented by Ambassador Hansjoerg Haber, together referred as the "SIGNATORIES" in fields of common interest and within their respective tasks.

2. Principles:

2.1. The MOD shall refrain from any significant movement or re-deployment of its units of Battalion strength or greater and all artillery and mortars with a calibre of 120mm or more, and more than 5 armoured vehicles with a caliber more than 60mm but less than 120mm in a northerly direction from the line of KHASHURI, GORI, BAZALETTI, to the West or North of the Ananouri, Ducheti, Mtchadijvari Road, or to the west of the Georgian Military Highway north of Ananouri, to the administrative boundary of South Ossetia, Georgia, as defined in attached map, which is an integral part of this provisional arrangement. This restriction does not include the use of the main highway in GORI and/or KHASHURI Districts. The MOD shall also comply with the same restrictions, within 15 km distance from the administrative boundary line with Abkhazia, Georgia.

2.2. Information about tactical exercises of MOD forces larger than a Battalion in strength will be given to the EUMM Point of Contact at least 48hrs in advance. Representatives of the EUMM will be allowed to enter the sites of permanent dislocations of MOD armed forces with 24hrs prior notice.


3. Exchange of information:

3.1. Should the Georgian Armed Forces need to conduct activities mentioned in para 2.1., MOD will provide 24 hours notification to the EUMM Point of Contact. As a minimum, the notification will include the detailed composition of the group in terms of numbers of personnel and types of equipment, proposed route, timings and a nominated unit liaison officer with contact details.

3.2. This provisional arrangement is an open document, which will be in the public domain. However, information communicated under this arrangement shall remain confidential, unless agreed otherwise by the MOD.

3. Modalities:

4.1. Information regarding plans to perform any activity referred to in para 3.1. of this document will be provided via e-mail or telephone to the EUMM Point of Contact 24 hours prior to the event, except in cases of emergency.

4.2. The MOD and EUMM will nominate two points of contact that will be responsible for the exchange of information under this arrangement. Points of contact will operate 24/7.

4.3. In order to promote transparency, the SIGNATORIES agree to a fortnightly meeting to .. discuss military issues. The attendees should as a minimum include: Representatives of GEO MOD and Joint Chief of Staff, EUMM POLAD, EUMM Mil Advisor.

4.4. The signatories will consider this provisional arrangement as a framework for further cooperation.

4.5. This provisional arrangement is taken as whole and cannot be suspended in part by either signatory. Partial suspension of this provisional arrangement will result in its termination.

4.6. In case of a State of Emergency declared by the Government of Georgia, this Provisional Arrangement is suspended automatically.

4.7. This provisional arrangement is in force for 3 months and is automatically prolonged for each successive 3-month periods, unless one of the Parties gives the other Party one week's notice in writing about its wish to terminate the arrangement.

January 26, 2009

On behalf of Minister of MOD of Georgia Vasil Sikharulidze

On behalf of EUMM, Head of Mission, Ambassador Hansjoerg Haber

(Archive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia)