GEORGIAN BULLETIN

1. GEORGIANBULLETIN Monthly Issue N° 2  March 2010 Embassy of Georgia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of LuxembourgMission of Georgia to the European Union www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge • The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili visited EPP Summit in Brussels • Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri was on his working visit in Brussels on 14-17 of March • The State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration Temur Yakobashvili paid a visit to Brussels 0n 8 – 12 of March • The 12th EU-Georgia parliamentary Cooperation Committee meetingin Tbilisi AGENDA 25/03/10 The President of Georgia visited Brussels 14-17/03/10 Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri was on his working visit in Brussels on 14-17 of March 29-30/03/10 The 12th EU-Georgia parliamentary Cooperation Committee meetingin Tbilisi 8-12/03/10 The State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration Temur Yakobashvili paid a visit to Brussels on 8 - 12 of March 26/03/10 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Grigol Vashadze met the delegation of the European Parliament 03/03/10 Visit of the EU high level delegation to Georgia led by Miguel Angel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain holding EU Presidency The President of Georgia visited EPP Summit in Brussels On 25-26 of March the President of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili, visited Brussels to participate in the summit of European People’s Party to which the ruling National Movement party is an observer member. During the visit Mikheil Saakashvili met with Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the EC and NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Secretary General of NATO assured the President that The North Atlantic Alliance continues its support to Georgia’s territorial integrity and welcomes the participation of Georgian militaries in Afghan operation. NATO Secretary General reiterated this point during his joint briefing held after meeting the President of Georgia. Anders Fogh Rasmussen pointed out that the Alliance door is still open for Georgia. CULTURE/SOCIETY 20/03/10 A Rugby match was held between the national teams of Georgia and Russian Federation PAGE 1

2. GEORGIAN BULLETIN March 2010 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge “It is a great honor for me to host President Saakashvili here, at NATO Headquarters. I have used this opportunity to express my gratitude for Georgia’s contribution in Afghan mission. I once again assured the President of Georgia that NATO’s policy towards Georgia has not changed and we will continue to support Georgia on its way towards NATO integration. NATO recognizes Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. NATO allies will continue the policy of non-recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. NATO continues to call on Russia to fulfill its obligations under the six-point ceasefire agreement and to allow international monitors into the entire territory of Georgia. We also spoke about the Georgian strategy of conflict resolution, according to which the sides of the conflict have to come closer to each other. I consider it is a right step forward. Besides we discussed the ongoing democratic processes in Georgia and we hope that Georgia will carry out all necessary electoral and constitutional reforms. The elections planned in May will have a decisive importance in this regard” Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated. Mikheil Saakashvili thanked the Secretary General and pointed out that Georgia’s contribution in Afghan operation due to its scale is rather high. “We are happy to be with you. Since you became NATO Secretary General, the Alliance door has wide opened for the Georgian officials. We had never had such intensive relations with NATO as we have today. I want to thank you for this. We participate in Afghan mission and we are one of the biggest military contributors per capita. We have very small but professional Army and it is great luxury for us to send almost one thousand soldiers abroad. Georgian soldiers are absolutely aware of their responsibility and risks. The whole Georgia supports them in this decision. At the same time we offer you to train Afghan policemen in Georgia and use Georgia’s territory for transit purposes. Georgia-NATO Commission is an important driving tool to make our cooperation more successful it is important to use it properly” Mikheil Saakashvili noted.“ Mikheil Saakashvili invited Anders Fogh Rasmussen to Georgia. “The President invited me to Georgia and I have accepted this invitation. I am looking forward to this visit, although the date is not fixed yet. NATO will not change the resolution of Bucharest Summit on Georgia and Ukraine. Both countries will become the members of Alliance. Each country must individually make a decision regarding NATO and carry our corresponding reforms. The Alliance will have an individual approach towards each country”, the Secretary General added. 25/03/10 www.president.gov.ge http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/player/streaming.cfm?type=ebsplus&sid=157610 http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/download/photo_download_en.cfm?idphoto=23178&nump=p-016754-00-02&src=6 www.civil.ge The 12th EU-Georgia parliamentary Cooperation Committee meeting On March 29-30, 2010, the 12th EU-Georgia parliamentary Cooperation Committee was held in Tbilisi. The meeting was chaired by the Head of the Permanent Parliamentary Delegation to the EU - Georgia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee - Mr David Darchiashvili and Head of the South Caucasus Delegation of the European Parliament, Mr. Milan Cabrnoch. Final recommendations were adopted by the end of the meeting. PCC supports the independence, the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Georgia; welcomes Georgia's democratic achievements; calls on the EU institutions to actively pursue full implementation of the EUMM's mandate and a solution to the problem of the illegal Russian occupation of Georgian territories; requires full implementation of the cease-fire agreement signed on August 12, 2008 and strongly condemns the non-mandated presence of Russian military troops in occupied regions of Georgia. In the framework of the visit, the EP delegation held meetings with the following representatives of the Georgian Government: Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili - President of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Baramidze - Vice Prime-Minister, State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Temur Yakobashvili - State Minister for Reintegration Issues, Mr. George Tsereteli - Deputy-Chairman of the Parliament. The meetings were also held with the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Georgia - Mr. Zurab Kharatishvili PAGE 2

3. GEORGIAN BULLETIN March 2010 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge and the representatives of the opposition and media. 0n March 31, the EP Delegation visited settlements of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and met with the representatives of the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia. 29-30/03/10 www.mfa.gov.ge The Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri was on his working visit in Brussels during 14-17 March 2010.During the visit Nika Gilauri met with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, EU Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule. According to Nika Gilauri, "Brussels conference pledged 4.5 billion to Georgia, a part of that was pledged by the EU. In 2009 we received rather large sums which were mainly spent on construction of refugees' houses. This year we also intend implementation of similar projects with funds from the EU". The Georgian PM also met the EU president Herman Van Rompuy. Mr. Van Rompuy underlined that Georgia was "the only South Caucasus country to have successfully negotiated" visa facilitation and readmission agreements. Currently the EU is discussing Association Agreement mandate with Georgia. This Agreement will also provide for free trade component, said the EU President and expressed his hopes that very soon it should be possible to start the negotiations. During the meeting with the Georgian Prime Minister the President of the European Council stated that "EU continues to support Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and expects Russia to fulfill all its commitments from the ceasefire agreements.“ According to Herman Van Rompuy, "EU is observing the ongoing events in Georgia and although it does not send observers to monitor local elections, it will watch the developments closely." After the meeting with the President of the European Council the Georgian Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilauri said: "Georgia is the only South Caucasus country which negotiated visa facilitation and readmission agreements". “The visit to Brussels proved to be very successful. We met practically all EU Commissioners which have contacts with Georgia -EU Development Commissioner Andris Pielbalgs, the European Energy Commissioner Gunter Oettinger, the European Commissioner for Trade Karel de Gucht. I also met the European Council President Mr. Herman Van Rompuy.” According to the Prime-Minister the meeting was a success and EU Council’s statements touched the crucial and topical issues for Georgia: “Among them was Russia's failure to fulfill the six-item agreement signed by Russia. This issue is included in his (Van Rompuy’s) statement. During the meeting we talked about two agreements we are working over with the EU. They are visa facilitation and readmission agreements. We successfully negotiated on visa facilitation and Mr. Van Rompuy stated that "we hope that we can soon fix date for a signature, possibly early June". This means that Georgian citizens will be able to get European countries' visa to European countries with much facilitated procedures very soon, and some categories will not need visas at all. Among such categories are sportsmen, culture figures, etc.This plays a crucial role in strengthening relations between Georgia and the European countries. If today only several European airlines fly to Tbilisi and Tbilisi is directly related to several European countries, after signing common aviation area agreement absolutely all European airlines will be able to fly to Tbilisi.” PAGE 3

4. GEORGIAN BULLETIN March 2010 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge This is a crucial element for facilitating great mobility between Georgia and Europe, increase of number of tourists in Georgia and visits of European businessmen to Georgia. We have negotiated agreements related to the said two matters. Only technical procedures are left and very soon we'll fix a date for signing the said agreements", said Nika Gilauri.During his visit to Brussels the Georgian PM Nika Gilauri met the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso. The sides discussed the free trade agreement related issues. Jose Manuel Barosso reaffirmed firm support for Georgia's territorial integrity and welcomed Georgia's recent adoption of the State Strategy towards Georgia’s occupied territories. Barosso criticized Russia for failure to fulfill its obligations. He stated: "We reaffirm our strong commitment to stability and democracy in Georgia and our firm support for Georgia's territorial integrity. Preparations for negotiations on the future Association Agreement are in their final phase. An important part of this Agreement will be the possibility to establish a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Georgia and Europe and attraction of new markets. We also welcome Georgia's recent adoption of the State Strategy on engagement with occupied territories. This testifies to Georgia's efforts to ease tensions and solve the conflict through peaceful means and diplomacy. In this regard, the continuation of the Geneva talks is of key importance.Unfortunately all Geneva meetings end in fail. Neither Observation Mission has an access to the so called South Ossetia and Abkazia. Its a regret. Democratic reforms are crucial. Georgia has already made important achievements. I think of progress in eradicating corruption and reforming the justice sector, for example. We are hopeful that intensive work will proceed to consolidate democratic institutions and ensure full media freedom. The upcoming local elections will be an opportunity for Georgia to demonstrate further its commitment to political pluralism and international standards for free and fair elections", said the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso. The Georgian Prime Minister Gilauri stated that "economic and political relations between the EU and Georgia are strengthening more and more. Close relations in view of the Eastern Partnership consolidates our union. We are looking forward for particular results through Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. I hope that the mandate of the EU’s observation mission in Georgia will be extended". 18/03/10 http://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=187&info_id=30411 The Deputy Prime Minister, the State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration Temuri Yakobashvili paid a visit to Brussels from 8 to 12 March, 2010. The State Minister met with the members of the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) to discuss the State Strategy on Occupied Territories and the Strategy Action Plan. The State Minister outlined the role of the European Union in the implementation of the Action Plan. The PSC members welcomed the vision of the Georgian Government and expressed support for the priorities laid out in the strategy. PAGE 4

5. GEORGIAN BULLETIN March 2010 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge The State Minister also presented the Strategy to the NATO-Georgia Commission, and met with the Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for External Relations of the European Commission Hugues Mingarelli and representatives of EU institutions. Representatives of NATO, EU institutions, and NGOs declared their full support for the Georgian Government and their involvement in the development and implementation of the Action Plan, aimed at the well-being of the population living in the occupied territories. During the visit, Mr. Yakobashvili gave interviews to the international media, including the EU Observer, and the Public Broadcaster of Estonia. 14/03/10 http://www.smr.gov.ge/en/home Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Mr. Grigol Vashadze met the delegation of the European Parliament On 26 March 2010 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze held a meeting with the delegation of the European Parliament including representatives of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity and the European Socialist Party. The sides discussed topical issues of Georgia-EU cooperation with focus on the importance of concluding simplified visa regime and readmission agreements as well as an agreement on common airspace; starting talks on the association and free and comprehensive trade agreements. The Georgian side emphasized the remarkable progress achieved in Georgia-EU relations in a number of priority fields. The sides discussed the security situation in the country and focused on the role of EUMM and Geneva talks and the importance of the support to Georgia of the international community, including the European Union. Discussions also centered on the priority fields of cooperation with Georgia's strategic partners, neighbouring countries and international organizations. 26/03/10 www.mfa.gov.ge Visit of the EU high level delegation to Georgia led by Miguel Angel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain holding EU Presidency On 3 March 2010 the EU high level delegation led by Miguel Angel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs and cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain holding EU Presidency, also representing High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Baroness Catherine Ashton, paid a visit to Georgia. Early in the morning on 3 March, the delegation visited the newly-opened Zemo Larsi border checkpoint. Later, the delegation visited the EU Monitoring Mission's field office in Mtskheta. After Miguel Angel Moratinos' tête-à-tête meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Grigol Vashadze, a wider-format meeting was held between the Georgian and EU delegations. Discussions focused on the topical issues of Georgia-EU cooperation and prospects for its further development, including the conclusion of an association agreement with a free and comprehensive free trade component and the refinement of the legislative basis in various sectors. The sides positively assessed Georgia's new strategy towards the occupied territories. Mr. Vashadze emphasized the European Union's special role in ensuring stability and security in the region. Mr. Moratinos reaffirmed the European Union's support to Georgia's territorial integrity with emphasis on the importance of the dynamic development of relations with Georgia as the region's leading country in terms of cooperation with EU. In the framework of the visit, the EU delegation held meetings with President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Davit Bakradze, State Minister for Reintegration Issues Temur Yakobashvili, representatives of the political parties and civil society. 03/03/10 www.mfa.gov.ge PAGE 6

6. GEORGIAN BULLETIN March 2010 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge Georgia crushed Russia 36-8 in the last round of the European Nations Cup to clinch top spot in Division One on Saturday. The Georgians finished with 27 points ahead of Russia with both teams having already qualified for next year's World Cup. Georgia joins Argentina, England, Scotland and a playoff winner in Pool B for the tournament in New Zealand. Saturday's Georgia-Russia match was played in Trabzon, Turkey. The Georgians beat the Russians 29-21 in their first clash in Mariupol, Ukraine, 12 months ago. 20/03/10 http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKFYO07378420100320 . SPORT PAGE 7