European Commission to visit Tbilisi

An international executive group representing the European Union is set to visit Tbilisi this month.

Members of the European Commission, the executive body of the EU responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions and upholding the Union’s treaties and day-to-day running of the EU, will visit Tbilisi on February 20 and 21.

The upcoming visit was heavily discussed at a meeting between the Georgian Ambassador in Germany Lado Chanturia and European Commissioner Guenter Oettinger. Georgian Ambassador Lado Chanturia met with the European Commissioner in Energy Issues in Berlin yesterday.

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed Oettinger emphasized at the meeting his support for Georgia as it approached Euro-Atlantic and European integration.

"Guenther Oettinger positively evaluates Georgian Government’s active efforts to hold numerous meetings with Western colleagues,” said the statement of the Foreign Ministry.

At the meeting, Oettinger proposed an initiative to visit the Georgian Embassy in Berlin and discuss Georgia-EU relations.

"The Georgian Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the support of Georgia and noted that the majority of Georgia’s population supports the country’s integration into European structures. He also stressed that the top priority of the Georgian Government’s foreign policy is the country’s EU integration,” the statement said.

The meeting was also attended by the advisor of the Embassy Maka Khvadagiani and members of the European Commission Delegation in Berlin.

The European Commission operates as a cabinet government, with 28 members of the Commission. There is one member per member state, although members are bound to represent the interests of the EU as a whole rather than their home state.