"Locals often tell us they feel safer, when they see us patrolling. We pay attention to anything that restricts freedom of movement", tells Maja. "Many people rely on farming to make a living and this (restrictions on freedom of movement, ed.) makes it much harder for them."

By talking directly to the residents the monitors get a first-hand understanding of the security situation on the ground and are thus able to inform EU and international decision-makers.

In 2018 the monitors of the Mission conducted 4,900 patrols driving over 1 540 000 km to observe the situation on the so-called Administrative Boundary Line between Georgia and the two breakaway regions  South-Ossetia and Abkhazia.

EUMM Georgia was launched September 2008 following the August 2008 armed conflict. The Mission provides 24/7, 365 days a year civilian monitoring of all parties' actions, including full compliance with the EU-brokered Six Point Agreement.

EUMM is one of currently ten civilian CSDP Missions deployed by the European Union to increase human security in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.