Second Session of EU-Georgia Association Committee in Brussels

17 June 2016
The second session of EU-Georgia Association Committee took place in Brussels, with the participation of Mrs. Tina Ghogheliani, the Head of Department for Relations with International Organizations and Legal Provision of State Minister’s Office for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. The Georgian Delegation, comprised by senior officials from relevant governmental agencies was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Gigi Gigiadze.
The meeting of Association Committee session was chaired by the European Union, represented by Mr. Luke Devine, the EEAS (European External Action Service) Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE. Representatives of European External Action Service and European Commission attended the session as well.
One of the important issues of the Association Committee session was peaceful settlement of the conflicts. Representative of the State Minister’s Office gave an overview of the human rights problems in the occupied territories, also focusing on Geneva International Discussions and IPRM meetings. Conversation dealt with the measures taken for the integration of ethnic minorities of Georgia as well.
European Union has reiterated its clear-cut support for the territorial integrity of Georgia in its internationally recognized borders. Deteriorated situation in the occupied territories in terms of security and humanitarian conditions, exacerbated after the murder on Georgian-controlled territory on 19 May in village Khurcha by the occupying regime was a matter of concern. Georgian side welcomed the active engagement of the European Union into the peaceful settlement of the conflict. A special emphasis was devoted to the role of EU Monitoring Mission (that was extended for the next two years) and EU engagement into Geneva International Discussions.