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GEORGIAN BULLETIN

GEORGIAN BULLETIN. Monthly Issue April- May 2012. Embassy of Georgia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Mission of Georgia to the European Union www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge. 26 May, 2012 – Independence Day of Georgia

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GEORGIAN BULLETIN

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  1. GEORGIANBULLETIN Monthly Issue April- May 2012 Embassy of Georgia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of LuxembourgMission of Georgia to the European Union www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge • 26 May, 2012 – Independence Day of Georgia • The President of Georgia participated in working of the NATO Summit • The President of Georgia held a meeting with Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy • Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia on the Invitation of International Observers for the October 2012 Parliamentary Elections 26 May, 2012 – Independence Day of Georgia The Head of State received a parade held in Kutaisi for the first time, dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia. Georgian officials attended the parade along with the President. Mikheil Saakashvili congratulated the Georgian nation on May 26 – the Independence Day of Georgia. He gave a welcoming speech and awarded merited persons with state decorations. The President of Georgia decorated the parents of the Commander of 31st Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre Tugushi - Tina Goguadze and Zurab Tugushi for their son’s special merit before the Georgian state. During his speech Mikheil Saakashvili focused attention on the process of constructing the new parliament and noted that this is the beginning of Kutaisi’s rehabilitation. After singing the national anthem the graduates of the National Defense Academy swore to serve their country and honored those who have lost their lives in the fight for Georgia’s unity during their service with a moment of silence. A military parade began right after. For the first time, the military orchestras of 5 friendly countries, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Turkey was assisting the Georgian military orchestra during the parade. Full text available at http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7570&i=1 AGENDA 26/5/2012 Independence Day of Georgia 21/5/2012 The President of Georgia participated in working of the NATO Summit 21/5/2012 The President of Georgia held a meeting with Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy 22/5/2012 The 11th meeting of the EU-Georgia Cooperation Sub-committee on Trade, Economic and Related Legal Issues was held in Brussels 23/5/2012 The first meeting of the EU-Georgia Cooperation Sub-committee on social affairs, public health, training, education and youth, culture, information society, audiovisual, and science and technology was held in Brussels 14/5/2012 MikheilSaakashvili and François Hollande had a phone conversation 12/5/2012 The President of Georgia met with the President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly PetrosEfthymiou 30/4/2012 The President of Georgia hosted the Prime Minister of Lithuania 6/4/2012 Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia on the Invitation of International Observers for the October 2012 Parliamentary Elections PAGE 1

  2. GEORGIAN BULLETIN April-May 2012 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge The President of Georgia participated in working of the NATO Summit The President of Georgia, attended the NATO Summit in Chicago as a result of an invitation by the NATO Secretary General and took part in the working of the summit. Georgia was represented in meetings of every format during a two day summit, including the meetings of the ISAF format with the countries participating in the ISAF mission (28+ISAF); also in the meetings of the future NATO members (28+4) and meetings with main partners (28+13) during which Georgia was the only country from Eastern Europe. Georgia attended the meeting of the ISAF format for the first time this year, where up to 60 ISAF partner country leaders participated. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton focused a large part of her address on Georgia during the meeting of the 28 NATO members and 4 partner (Aspirant) countries. She once again expressed unwavering support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and called on Russia to fulfill its obligations. The Secretary of State thanked the Georgian side for participation in the ISAF mission, positively assessed the democratic reforms implemented in the country and noted that Georgia fully shares NATO’s democratic values. “Georgia will become the largest non-NATO contributor to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan this fall and we are very grateful for its contributions. Georgia has made democratic reforms and the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections are additional opportunities for Georgia to show the world that it is committed to NATO’s democratic values. We stand firm in our support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome Georgia’s non-use of force pledge and we call on Russia to reciprocate with its own pledge.” – stated Hillary Clinton. The Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Alexander Vershbow also focused attention on the importance of participation in the summit of Georgia and aspirant countries. “Georgia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; these four countries aspire to NATO membership and they therefore have a special place among NATO’s partners. Today’s meeting demonstrates how strongly your four countries are linked to the alliance and how much we want to further strengthen those ties.” – stated Alexander Vershbow. A declaration was passed within the scope of the NATO Summit - “At the 2008 Bucharest Summit we agreed that Georgia will become a member of NATO and we reaffirm all elements of that decision, as well as subsequent decisions. The NATO-Georgia Commission and Georgia’s Annual National Program (ANP) have a central role in supervising the process set in hand at the Bucharest Summit. We welcome Georgia’s progress since the Bucharest Summit to meet its Euro-Atlantic aspirations through its reforms, implementation of its Annual National Program, and active political engagement with the Alliance in the NATO-Georgia Commission” – is noted in the declaration. The members of NATO also agreed on deepening ties with Georgia by strengthening the political dialogue. The document once again expressed support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty just like in the declarations of 2008 and 2010, and once again called on Russia: “We continue to call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia as independent states.” NATO also calls on the sides participating in the Geneva talks to play a constructive role in intensive cooperation with the OSCE, UN, and EU and assist peacefully in solving the conflict within Georgia’s internationally recognized borders. The declaration expressed NATO’s official position “We continue to be concerned by the build-up of Russia’s military presence on Georgia’s territory and continue to call on Russia to ensure free access for humanitarian assistance and international observers. “ The declaration also expressed the gratitude for “Georgia’s important contribution, as the second largest non-member state in the armed forces of the ISAF mission” “This demonstrates Georgia’s loyalty towards common security goals of the alliance” – as noted in the document.  21/5/2012 Full text available at http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7557&i=1 PAGE 2

  3. GEORGIAN BULLETIN April-May 2012 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge The President of Georgia held a meeting with Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy Within the scope of the NATO Summit in Chicago, President of Georgia met with the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. The sides discussed issues of mutual relations and the ongoing negotiation process between Georgia and the European structures. Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy positively assessed the ongoing processes in Georgia and the implemented reforms while especially noting the progress of the country in the negotiations regarding the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU. They once again expressed support of approximation of Georgia and the EU. Mikheil Saakashvili thanked the European leaders for the backing and called the negotiations related to approximation of Georgia and the EU a huge political support. According to him, Georgia has common democratic values with the EU and NATO and integration into these organizations is an inevitable process.  21/5/2012 Full text available at http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7554&i=1 The 11th meeting of the EU-Georgia Cooperation Sub-committee on Trade, Economic and Related Legal Issues was held on May 22, 2012 in Brussels During the meeting, the sides discussed in detail the reforms in economic and trade sectors and EU-Georgia cooperation dynamics for the last year. Discussions also focused on macro-economic situation, investments promotion issues, etc. In general, the EU side welcomed the reforms implemented and progress made by Georgia in a number of areas. During the meeting special focus was made on the EU-Georgia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade issues. The sides welcomed the start of negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between EU and Georgia. The European side positively assessed the activity carried out during the preparatory phase and outlined steps aimed at achieving further progress, which will facilitate the economic integration and further market accession with the EU. The EU -Georgia Cooperation Subcommittee on Trade, Economic and Related Legal Issues represents one of the formats of the EU-Georgia political dialogue that takes place at the level of the experts once a year. The Georgian side was represented by the relevant state structures involved in the work of the sub-committee and from the EU was represented of the EEAS and the European Commission. 22/05/2012 http://belgium.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=223&info_id=15022 The first meeting of the EU-Georgia Cooperation Sub-committee on social affairs, public health, training, education and youth, culture, information society, audiovisual, and science and technology was held on May 23, 2012 in Brussels During the meeting, the sides discussed the current situation in Georgia and EU in the areas foreseen by the agenda, as well as the EU-Georgia cooperation dynamics and prospects of interaction. Focus was also made on areas such as social protection and healthcare, education, science, culture and information society. This new institutional format of EU-Georgia cooperation was established at the meeting of EU-Georgia cooperation committee held on September 14, 2010 in Brussels and represents one of the formats of the EU-Georgia political dialogue that takes place at the level of the heads of departments. The establishment of the new sub-committee implies the deepening of the EU-Georgia political dialogue in areas such as healthcare, education, culture, information society, science, etc. 23/5/2012 Full text available at http://belgium.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=223&info_id=15021 PAGE 3

  4. GEORGIAN BULLETIN April-May 2012 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge Mikheil Saakashvili and François Hollande had a phone conversation President Saakashvili had a phone conversation with President Elect of France François Hollande and congratulated him on the victory in the recent elections. President Saakashvili called these elections “historic” and noted that his election campaign raised interest and hope beyond French borders. The President stressed the values that the two countries share as well as the fundamental role of France for Georgia and Europe in general. The newly elected President of France, expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Mikheil Saakashvili and emphasized strong support of the territorial integrity of Georgia and the young democracy of the country. Both of the leaders expressed confidence in the fact that they value mutual relations and that these relations are going to keep progressing at a fast pace. They also expressed desire to meet in the nearest future. 5/14/2012  http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7541&i=2 The President of Georgia met with the President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Petros Efthymiou  A meeting between the President of Georgia and the President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Petros Efthymiou, was held in Batumi. Mikheil Saakashvili and Petros Efthymiou spoke about the importance of existing cooperation between Georgia and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The focus of the meeting was the occupied territories, necessity of restoring the OSCE observer mission, and involvement of international observers in the Parliamentary elections process. The Head of State once again noted that Georgia is ready to host as many observers as possible, which will assist in holding transparent and democratic elections. “I want to thank you very much for everything. We are expecting observers not only on the day of elections, but long term. This is very important for the Georgian democracy. We want as many of you to arrive as possible, and for you to share your advice with us on how we can better elections and make them more transparent, so that we do not let the people, who want to undermine democracy reach their goals. We want the process to be transparent and just and your involvement will have a lot of significance.” - noted Mikheil Saakashvili. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Petros Efthymiou, focused attention on the recent successes and reforms implemented in the country. He once again expressed readiness to cooperate with Georgia on behalf of OSCE in order to develop democratic institutions. The challenges from Russia as well as the unfulfilled obligations of Russia were among the important topics of discussion during the meeting. Petros Efthymiou once again expressed the uniform decision of OSCE that the observer mission of OSCE must be restored on the entire territory of Georgia. 12/5/2012 http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7533&i=3 The President of Georgia hosted the Prime Minister of Lithuania at his home in Kvareli The President of Georgia met with the Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius, who arrived in Georgia on a working visit, in an informal setting. The President of Georgia and the First Lady of Georgia hosted the Prime Minister of Lithuania and his spouse at their home in Kvareli. Mikheil Saakashvili invited them to taste Georgian wine. Mikheil Saakashvili and Andrius Kubilius spoke about deepening the cordial relations between the two countries even more. “I am very glad to host the Prime Minister of one of our friendliest countries – Lithuania at my vineyard. This is very important. I bring many leaders and heads of governments here because this helps in popularizing Kakheti and Georgia in general. I want to say that, aside from the traditional bonds between us, we have a historic chance now; next year Lithuania will have the Presidency of the EU. On one hand, this is going to be the time of the end of my Presidency and I think by the end of my term I should finish what I have started and Georgia must sign the association agreement with the European Union. Most importantly, we should definitely sign the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement and visa free travel agreement, or get very close to signing them. There are few closer countries than Lithuania in Europe and the fact that Lithuania will be a chair country will make things much easier. This is the reason we are planning to talk about these topics. Of course, we are grateful to him for all the support we have been receiving from Lithuania all these years, including within the European Union.” – stated the President of Georgia. The Prime Minister of Lithuania thanked the President of Georgia for the heartfelt hospitality and gave him a special gift – the first Lithuanian official document of international importance, which affirms the territorial integrity of Georgia. PAGE 4

  5. GEORGIAN BULLETIN April-May 2012 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge “It is very pleasant for me to visit such a beautiful place and share with you the fact that we have achieved a lot together. The purpose of our visit to Georgia is clear. First of all, I would like to express my solidarity toward your country. I would also like to state that we support Georgia’s territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Next year Lithuania will be the chair country of the EU and this is the time when the negotiations regarding the free trade agreement and visa liberalization will reach the final stage. We will definitely reach this goal. Mr. President, I would like to give you a modest gift. The relations between our countries since the middle ages are organized chronologically in this document. This document is dated 1465; it is written in ancient Slavik languages and Georgia is mentioned in it” – he stated. 30/04/2012 Full text available at http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7501&i=4 The Prime Minister of Georgia was on a working visit in the USA Within the framework of the visit Nika Gilauri met with the leaders of the US International Trade Organization and the Millennium Corporation. The Prime Minister of Georgia and the trade representative of the USA, Mr. Ron Kirk, have agreed that at the end of May of the current year a high level dialogue between Georgia and the USA with regard to strengthening of investment relations. The objective of this dialogue is drafting of an agreement of free trade between these two countries. As the Prime Minister pointed out at the beginning of the visit: "There will be discussed a new 100-150 million compact, I am referring to new investment in education sector. A part of money shall be spent on rehabilitation of schools, and the other part on development of American University which will be American University. Georgian students will be able to obtain American diploma. At the end of May negotiations will be opened between Georgia and the USA with respect to increasing the scope of trade relations". Besides, the Prime Minister of Georgia met with Director of International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagard. On meeting the parties talked about the relationship between Georgia and International Monetary Fund. "It was noted that Georgia's economy is one of the healthiest in the world. The following was emphasized: the budget deficit, Georgia's low debt, low inflation and healthy bank sector. Furthermore, it was pointed out that Georgia has considerable experience in overcoming economic problems, today we have expanding economy. It is very important to share this experience" - declared Nika Gilauri. 22/05/2012 http://government.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=254&info_id=33647 The President of Georgia met with the representatives of Georgian Armed Forces The President of Georgia met with the representatives of the Ministry of Defense and addressed them. As Mikheil Saakashvili noted during his address, he made this event specifically to coincide with the memorial of the heroes fallen on April 9th, to once again emphasize the fighting spirit, bravery, and the love of freedom of the Georgian people. According to him, despite the hopeless situation, the Georgian people proved on April 9, that the idea of freedom is the most powerful ideal and it will always win; that this nation will never again live in slavery and will never again serve others. Mikheil Saakashvili recalled the examples proving the country’s statehood, culture, and protecting our nationality while focusing attention on the heroes, who have fallen in the fight for saving our statehood and independence. According to him, the current generation has assessed this sacrifice well and understood what a relentless cycle of success means. The Commander in Chief of the Georgian Armed Forces also recalled the Russian aggression of August of 2008 during his speech. According to Mikheil Saakashvili’s statement, the bravery of Georgians was seen well during the time when the leader of our conquerors was going to bomb the rally in front of the Parliament of Georgia. PAGE 5

  6. GEORGIAN BULLETIN April-May 2012 www.belgium.mfa.gov.ge “This was a sign of people’s inspiration, a sign of the fact that we would not lie down in the face of a challenge or a threat” – noted he. The President of Georgia decorated 25 military and 4 civilian personnel, including the initiators and participants in the creation of the first Georgian military vehicles, for their contribution in the development of the Georgian Armed Forces, for kindly doing their work and for their high level of professionalism. The Commander in Chief personally gave them the awards. After his address, the President of Georgia decorated the April 9 memorial with flowers. Mikheil Saakashvili arrived with his wife Sandra Elizabeth Roelofs and Minister of Defense Bacho Akhalaia at the memorial of the tragedy that took place 23 years ago. 9/4/2012 Full text available at http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7449&i=6 Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia on the Invitation of International Observers for the October 2012 Parliamentary Elections Upon the instructions of the President of Georgia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia has extended the official formal invitations to the international organizations, such as the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), European Parliament and respective EU Institutions to send the election observers to Georgia for the upcoming October 2012 parliamentary elections. Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed its request to the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Baroness Catherine Ashton to ensure the EU funding for the media monitoring project analogous to the one that was successfully implemented during the 2010 local self-government and municipal elections in Georgia. The official invitations dispatched to the international organizations underscore the full readiness of the Georgian side to receive as many election observers as possible, and as soon as possible - at the time of their earliest convenience - enabling them to thoroughly monitor the processes in both the pre-election and elections stages. It should be noted that the extension of official invitations to the international observers almost seven months prior to the elections is an unprecedented move in the international election monitoring practice. 6/4/2012 http://belgium.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=223&info_id=14835 The President of Georgia participated in the NATO-Georgia Commission session Mikheil Saakashvile participated in the session of the NATO-Georgia Commission in Brussels. The President of Georgia met with the NATO Secretary General, after which Mikheil Saakashvili and Anders Fogh Rasmussen hold a joint press conference. The sides once again reaffirmed the desire to deepen cooperation within the scope of the alliance. During the meeting the NATO Secretary General spoke about the successful reforms recently implemented in Georgia, also the successfully fulfilled commitment that Georgia has made before the alliance as well as the fact that it continues to be fulfilled. The Secretary General once again expressed support of the territorial integrity of Georgia on behalf of the alliance and noted that he condemns and does not recognize the elections held in the occupied territories of Georgia. Anders Fogh Rasmussen thanked the President of Georgia for an important contribution in the ISAF mission and noted that Georgia is playing a huge role in strengthening the world security. 3/4/2012 Full texts available at  http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7432&i=7 http://president.gov.ge/en/PressOffice/News?p=7435&i=7 PAGE 6

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