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INTERESTING USE OF LANGUAGE - POLITICAL FORCES ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT THE PEOPLE WHICH SHE DESCRIBES AS CIVIL SOCIETY

Glenys Kinnock visit to Georgia (23/06/2009)

Minister for Europe Glenys Kinnock will be in Georgia on 23-25 June for wide ranging discussions with prominent figures in the region.

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.'

During the visit she will meet British personnel who have been seconded to theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the EU's Monitoring Mission (EUMM). Mrs Kinnock said:

'Independent monitoring is a key tool in promoting security and stability. 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.

We were deeply disappointed that Russia did not agree to reasonable proposals for continuing the work of the OSCE and UNOMIG Missions in Georgia. The EUMM must be allowed to fulfil its mandate to monitor in Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as the rest of Georgia. 

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

Notes for Editors

Georgia country profile