'Georgia - important partner of both the EU and NATO'

24 Jun 2009

Minister for Europe Glenys Kinnock is in Georgia on 23-25 June for wide ranging discussions, with particular focus on NATO, the EU and internal issues.

Glenys Kinnock in Georgia, Crown Copyright

Minister for Europe Glenys Kinnock is in Georgia on 23-25 June for wide ranging discussions, with particular focus on NATO, the EU and internal issues. She also met British secondees to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Mrs Kinnock was appointed Europe Minister on 9 June 2009, having served three terms in the European Parliament. This will be the Minister's first official overseas visit outside Brussels. Commenting on her visit to Georgia she said:

'I am pleased to be visiting Georgia so early in my tenure as Europe Minister. Georgia is an important partner of both the EU and NATO. I will be discussing Georgia's democratic reform process, and implementation of the European Neighbourhood Programme and NATO Annual National Programme. We will continue to support Georgia both bilaterally and through international organisations such as the European Union.

I am looking forward to discussing the current political situation in Georgia with representatives of both Government and Opposition. We see dialogue between all political forces and civil society as the only feasible solution to the challenges Georgia faces.'

On the second day of her visit Glenys Kinnock met British secondees to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). She thanked the secondees for their hard work in a challenging and dangerous environment, and discussed some of their experiences from on the ground. Following the meeting the Minister commented said:

'It was a pleasure to meet with some of the British secondees to the OSCE. I was struck by their dedication and professionalism, typical of our secondees to all three international Missions. The departure of the OSCE and UNOMIG Missions in Georgia will be a loss. Independent monitoring is crucial for promoting stability.

We were disappointed that Russia was unable to agree to reasonable proposals for the continuation of the OSCE and UNOMIG Missions in Georgia. The requirement for the EU's Monitoring Mission (EUMM) to fulfil its mandate to monitor in Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as the rest of Georgia becomes ever more pressing.

We will also continue to urge Russia to fulfil its obligations under the Sarkozy-Medvedev agreements.'

Mrs Kinnock also commented on the death of Avtandil Akhaladze who was killed whilst driving an Ambulance in support of a EUMM Patrol. She said:

'I note with sadness that on 21 June Avtandil Akhaladze was killed whilst driving an Ambulance in support of a EUMM Patrol. My thoughts are with his family and friends. EUMM have announced that their preliminary findings suggest that this was a targeted attack. Any attack on unarmed monitors and those assisting them is completely unacceptable. The circumstances of this incident must be thoroughly investigated.'