Estonia’s Mikser: Global attention essential for Georgia’s occupied regions

Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser considers it important to maintain the attention of the international community on the occupied territories of Georgia.

"Unlawful Russian activity in the occupied territories damages efforts to find a peaceful solution and therefore threatens regional security and stability”, Mikser said as he visited the administrative boundary line separating Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) from the rest of the country yesterday.

"South Ossetia and Abkhazia are integral parts of Georgia”, he emphasised.

Mikser met with Georgian Foreign Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili last evening. Following the meeting the Prime Minister’s press office said Kvirikashvili will pay a state visit to Estonia.

The dates of the visit have not been announced yet but the government administration said it will be "in the nearest future”. The details of the upcoming visit were discussed during last evening's meeting between Kvirikashvili and Mikser.

Met @svenmikser.Discussed @GovernmentGeo#4pointplan and #Estonia’s experience we share including #Egovernance& #tax administration reform pic.twitter.com/zlNHeFSOYE

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) April 24, 2017

Mikser acknowledged the determination of Georgia to carry out reforms as part of the European Union (EU) integration-process at yesterday’s meeting.

According to him, the determined and strong work to achieve visa-free travel has taken Georgia’s EU integration substantially forward.

"The entry into force of visa-liberalisation with the EU is a significant step that will improve tourism, contacts between people and will strengthen business ties”, he said and reaffirmed the on-going Estonian support.

"The implementation of the Association Agreement and reforms must continue. Our cooperation with Georgia is aimed at that,” he added.

Mikser said that the success of Georgia is an example for other Eastern Partnership countries. He added that the Eastern Partnership is one of the priorities of the Estonian presidency of the EU Council. The Eastern Partnership Summit will take place in Brussels during the Estonian presidency.

"We are working to achieve ambitious outcomes that would motivate all Eastern Partnership members to further develop their countries. The Summit must send a clear message of EU commitment and demonstrate the citizens of eastern partners how cooperation leads to concrete benefits. It is necessary to maintain the government's’ motivation to carry out reforms”, he said.

Security and Georgia’s strive towards NATO were also subjects discussed at the meeting.

"Georgia is already a partner of NATO who significantly contributes to the security of the alliance,” Mikser said.

"I am glad that the Warsaw Summit sent a clear signal that NATO would like to strengthen cooperation with Georgia. Estonia is ready to support Georgia in this in every way”, he added and encouraged Georgia to use different opportunities for practical cooperation with NATO.

According to Foreign Minister Mikser, Georgia is one of the most important development cooperation partner countries for Estonia.

"We will continue to support Georgia’s EU integration, particularly with training and aid to implement reforms. In the last two years, 50 projects have been carried out in Georgia in the framework of development cooperation. We focus mainly on sharing our experience in reforming education, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening democratic institutions and developing e-governance”, Mikser said. This year, Estonia will again contribute almost one million euros for different projects.

According to Mikser, the cooperation between Estonia and Georgia, who this year in June will celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, is successful and constructive in every field.