Summary of the intervention
by High Representative of the European Union
for the Common Foreign and Security Policy,
before the plenary session of the European Parliament
Brussels, 13 October 2004
Chairman, Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to address you on behalf of the Council of the European Union. We welcome the active and sustained interest of the European Parliament in Georgia. And we pay close attention to the resolutions of the Parliament, such as the last one on Georgia, adopted on 17 December 2003. It’s a very important subject. On the 4th January 2004 has had a new government, new political leaders.
Over the past year or so, the EU has become increasingly engaged in Georgia and the South Caucasus. Let me give a few key examples. First, on 7 July 2003, the EU appointed a Special Representative for the region, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie. On 14 June this year, the Council decided to include Georgia (as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan) in the European Neighbourhood Policy. On 16-17 June, the EU was jointly responsible with the World Bank for hosting an international donor conference on Georgia to support the new government. Then, on 16 July, the EU launched in Georgia its first Rule of Law mission in the context of ESDP, EUJUST Themis. Most recently, on 14 September, we held the sixth meeting of the EU-Cooperation Council here in Brussels, under the Netherlands Presidency of the EU.
Through such initiatives, the main target of EU policy is to support all efforts at reform in Georgia, and to encourage further strengthening of such efforts by the Georgian government. Progress has already been achieved, but many outstanding issues remain. The EU therefore stands ready to help in this process, which we consider of the most fundamental importance.
Of course, reforms take time, and the situation in Georgia in not good. Since 1991 one million people have left the country; GDP per capita has decreased by 70%; 60% of population is below the poverty line; and unresolved internal conflicts have generated nearly 300 000 IDPs.
It is these unresolved conflicts, like the problem of autonomy in Abkhazia, that have generated most recent international interest in Georgia. Find a solution is not as simple as it seems. The EU has strongly encouraged Georgian authorities to pursue the resolution of internal conflicts, but it is imperative that this should be done through peaceful means.
A co-operative approach will be crucial in working towards a solution of outstanding issues. There is a need for a good understanding with Russia.
Cooperation also needs to extend to the relations between Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The EU attaches special attention to regional co-operation in promoting peace and confidence building. Respect for shared values of democracy and human rights can be an important factor in promoting stability in the whole Southern Caucasus region. So there is a need for constructing a good relationship between these countries.
In conclusion, I would like to add that President Saakashvili has the support of the EU and that we are going to help him. The EU is a friend of Georgia.