The EU to send 200 observers to Georgia

Press release 335/2008
16 September, 2008

The European Union has decided to implement its civilian crisis mission and to deploy about 200 observers in Georgia. The Foreign Ministers of the Member States confirmed launching of the mission at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council held in Brussels on Monday, 15 September. Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen represented Finland at the meeting.

“This is one of the most rapidly launched missions in the European Union’s history,” Foreign Minister Stubb said in Brussels.

Two hundred observers will be deployed in Georgia by 1 October. Preparations have also been made for Finland to participate in the mission. The aim is to send ten Finnish experts to Georgia before the beginning of October.

Nearly all of the Member States have announced that they are able to send experts to Georgia. The pledges made by the Member States exceed the desired strength of 200 people. The observer force will comprise, for instance, police officers, legal experts and human rights experts. The intention is to appoint the head of the mission this week.

Financing for the mission will come from the Member States and the budget for the common European foreign and security policy. The Member States are largely responsible for the expenses of the experts they deploy. The expenses for the mission consist of, e.g. personnel expenditure, travel costs, administration and other running expenses.

Additional information: Director General Pilvi-Sisko Vierros, Political Department, mobile tel. +358 40 7211 705