EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) called on all sides to show restraint and refrain “from words and actions that could be considered provocative,” as the anniversary of the August war approaches.

“At this particularly sensitive time, it is vital that all sides show restraint and do nothing that could be considered provocative. It is in no one’s interest to incite the situation at this time. In recent days there have been a number of incidents,” General Gilles Janvier, the deputy head of EUMM, said in a statement on July 30.

“The EUMM continues to monitor and investigate events on the ground in its usual thorough, professional and balanced way and work with all sides to maintain security and stability for the people living in the areas adjacent to the administrative boundary lines,” he added.