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MINISTER FOR EUROPE TO VISIT GEORGIA AND ARMENIA
Government Contracting Opportunities
October 9, 2006 Monday 12:08 PM (Central European Time)
by FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release (GEORGIA) issued by
The Government News Network on 9 October 2006
ABSTRACT
Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon starts a visit to Georgia and
Armenia today. During his three day visit, the Minister will meet
his government counterparts and discuss issues of mutual concern,
including promoting democracy, good governance and regional stability
in the South Caucasus.
FULL TEXT
Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon starts a visit to Georgia and
Armenia today. During his three day visit, the Minister will meet
his government counterparts and discuss issues of mutual concern,
including promoting democracy, good governance and regional stability
in the South Caucasus.
Mr Hoon said:
"I am glad to be visiting Georgia at a time when two welcome steps have
just been taken in the deepening of the country's relationship with
Europe. Last month the NATO Alliance agreed to open an Intensified
Dialogue with Georgia. And last week Georgia and the European Union
successfully concluded negotiations on a European Neighbourhood Policy
Action Plan to be signed at the EU-Georgia Co-operation Council next
month in Brussels. Both these agreements are designed to support and
stimulate processes of modernisation and reform, promoting Georgia's
development as a secure, stable and successful country.
"This is a clearly a significant time for Georgia. The UK wants to
see an early solution to the current difficulties in Georgian-Russian
relations. It is important for regional stability that both sides
should exercise restraint, avoiding inflammatory statements and
impetuous actions. We have raised with the Russians the desirability
of their lifting as soon as possible the measures they have
introduced. But equally we look to the Georgian authorities to act
constructively. I hope that normal contacts, based on mutual respect,
can be restored between the two countries as soon as possible. The UK
firmly believes that the serious and challenging issues underlying
this dispute can only be resolved with the full and constructive
involvement of the Russian and Georgian authorities, working together
with the support of the international community to reach mutually
acceptable solutions.
"I am also pleased to be visiting Armenia, especially now that the
European Neighbourhood Programme has been agreed for Armenia, as
for Georgia and Azerbaijan. Armenia is to be congratulated on this
significant achievement. With the Deputy Defence Minister also visiting
the UK this week, our bilateral relations are growing in strength. As
elections approach, I look forward to discussing the importance of
free and fair voting with my Armenian colleagues, opposition leaders
and representatives of civil society. We will also be discussing how
progress can be made through the OSCE Minsk Group on the conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh."
Notes to Editors
1. Mr Hoon will visit Georgia on 9 - 10 October and Armenia on 10 -
11 October.
Government Contracting Opportunities
October 9, 2006 Monday 12:08 PM (Central European Time)
by FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release (GEORGIA) issued by
The Government News Network on 9 October 2006
ABSTRACT
Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon starts a visit to Georgia and
Armenia today. During his three day visit, the Minister will meet
his government counterparts and discuss issues of mutual concern,
including promoting democracy, good governance and regional stability
in the South Caucasus.
FULL TEXT
Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon starts a visit to Georgia and
Armenia today. During his three day visit, the Minister will meet
his government counterparts and discuss issues of mutual concern,
including promoting democracy, good governance and regional stability
in the South Caucasus.
Mr Hoon said:
"I am glad to be visiting Georgia at a time when two welcome steps have
just been taken in the deepening of the country's relationship with
Europe. Last month the NATO Alliance agreed to open an Intensified
Dialogue with Georgia. And last week Georgia and the European Union
successfully concluded negotiations on a European Neighbourhood Policy
Action Plan to be signed at the EU-Georgia Co-operation Council next
month in Brussels. Both these agreements are designed to support and
stimulate processes of modernisation and reform, promoting Georgia's
development as a secure, stable and successful country.
"This is a clearly a significant time for Georgia. The UK wants to
see an early solution to the current difficulties in Georgian-Russian
relations. It is important for regional stability that both sides
should exercise restraint, avoiding inflammatory statements and
impetuous actions. We have raised with the Russians the desirability
of their lifting as soon as possible the measures they have
introduced. But equally we look to the Georgian authorities to act
constructively. I hope that normal contacts, based on mutual respect,
can be restored between the two countries as soon as possible. The UK
firmly believes that the serious and challenging issues underlying
this dispute can only be resolved with the full and constructive
involvement of the Russian and Georgian authorities, working together
with the support of the international community to reach mutually
acceptable solutions.
"I am also pleased to be visiting Armenia, especially now that the
European Neighbourhood Programme has been agreed for Armenia, as
for Georgia and Azerbaijan. Armenia is to be congratulated on this
significant achievement. With the Deputy Defence Minister also visiting
the UK this week, our bilateral relations are growing in strength. As
elections approach, I look forward to discussing the importance of
free and fair voting with my Armenian colleagues, opposition leaders
and representatives of civil society. We will also be discussing how
progress can be made through the OSCE Minsk Group on the conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh."
Notes to Editors
1. Mr Hoon will visit Georgia on 9 - 10 October and Armenia on 10 -
11 October.