EUGBC Secretary General participated in the 6th International Conference - Georgia’s European Way – ENP AP Implementation in Georgia

Since 2007 the Office of the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration organizes regular semi-annual international conferences entitled The European Way of Georgia - Georgia’s European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan Implementation, in order to demonstrate progress, achievements and challenges of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan (ENP AP) implementation process in Georgia, which enable both the Government and its European partners to have an active dialogue on all the ENP AP issues. The 6^th conference was held in Tbilisi on February 11-12, 2010.

Giorgi Baramidze, Vice Primer Minister, State Minister for Integration in Europe and European Structures, Gigi Ugulava, Mayor of Tbilisi, and Per Eklund, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Georgia opened the conference.

The high ranking officials of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the authority, representatives of the EU Member States and European Commission, the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia, NGOs, academics and members of the media took part in the conference. EUGBC was represented at the Conference by the Secretary General, Konstantin Zaldastanishvili.

A number of Ministers and other high authorities of Georgia delivered presentations at the plenary session of the conference: Mr. Temur Iakobashvili, Vice Primer Minister, State Minister for Reintegration, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, David Jalagania, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The de-occupation of the occupied Georgian Territories, democratic and economic reforms, Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade agreement and Georgia’s integration with European structures were main discussion topics of the conference.

Three thematic sessions were held in the framework of the conference:

·         After War Challenges – What EU can do? The session examined the Steps for the de-occupation of the occupied Georgian Territories and for the eradication of ethnic cleansing, Violation of so-called "Six Point Agreement” by Russia, negotiations at Geneva Format, Enhanced EU engagement and a role of the EU monitoring mission (EUMM).    

·         Democratic Reforms session that discussed democratic reforms aimed at enhancing the role of parliament and independence of the judiciary, strengthening freedom of media and protection of property rights, further improvement of the electoral legislation, protecting human rights and reinforcing the rule of law.

·         Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU, which focused on possibilities for starting the negotiation process on Deep and Comprehensive FTA with the EU, implementation of the EC recommendations and reforms necessary for starting the negotiation on DCFTA.

Konstantin Zaldastanishvili, Secretary General of EUGBC delivered a speech at the session on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU. The Secretary General provided EUGBC’s view on DCFTA, and expressed the Council’s readiness to facilitate regular consultations with business community on this issue.

Please see attached the documents related to the conference:

• Conference Program
• List of Participants
• Georgia’s Progress Report on Implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2009