Estonian Embassy in Tbilisi :: News & Events http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss WiseCMS 2.0 hille.lepp@vm.ee hille.lepp@vm.ee Estonia Wishes to Conclude Agreements with Georgia on the Protection of Investments and Social Security Soon http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-645 During Foreign Minister Urmas Paet's meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Gregory Vashadze in Tallinn on Tuesday, 25 August, the two discussed the expansion of the Estonia-Georgia treaty base in order to facilitate business between the two countries. "We would like to conclude an agreement on the protection of investments with Georgia in the near future, in order to help with the intensification of Estonia-Georgia business contacts," noted Paet. "We would also like to conclude a social security agreement between the two countries as soon as possible," he added.

Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet and Georgian Foreign Minister Gregory Vashadze 

While talking about the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised the mission's importance in ensuring security and stability in Georgia. "After the missions of other international organisations have ended, the European Union Monitoring Mission plays a very important role in stabilising the security situation in Georgia," stated the Estonian foreign minister. Paet added that a long-term solution must honour Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

They also spoke about Estonia-Georgia co-operation in the framework of the European Union Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership. "Georgia should definitely use the opportunities presented to support its reforms and harmonise its legislation. Eastern Partnership is an important chance to help Georgia and other target countries grow closer to the EU," asserted Paet. The foreign minister added that Estonia will continue to support Georgia in its integration with NATO as well.

Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia supports the rapid conclusion of visa facilitation and readmission agreements between the EU and Georgia, as well as starting negotiation discussions for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and an association agreement between the EU and Georgia as soon as Georgia is ready.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet confirmed that Estonia's development co-operation with Georgia will continue according to plan. "Co-operation between Estonia and Georgia is close and is growing in the development aid sector through many bilateral projects for making internal security, rule of law development, and the functioning of the state more efficient, but also through education projects," said Paet. Georgia is one of Estonia's four development co-operation target countries. During the past five years Estonia has funded 30 different development co-operation projects in Georgia. Foreign Minister Vashadze thanked Estonia for the help it has given Georgia.

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]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:32:14 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-645 Paet Discusses Extension of Monitoring Mission in Georgia with EU Foreign Ministers http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-616 Foreign Minister Urmas Paet will participate in a session of the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on Monday, 27 July.

In the external relations session, topics to be discussed are the situations in Somalia and post-election Iran as well as the security situation in Georgia.

Prior to the meeting, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised the importance of continuing the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia. “The monitoring mission plays an important stabilising role. After the completion of the UN and OSCE monitoring missions in Georgia, the role of the European Union in supporting the region's stability and security has been more important than ever, especially since the European Union Monitoring Mission is the only international monitoring mission left on Georgia's territory,” emphasised Paet. Estonia has sent two experts to join the ranks of the EUMM Georgia. “The mandate of the European Union Monitoring Mission covers all of Georgia, and it is unfortunate that the monitors still have not been able to access the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” he added.

During the general affairs portion, the European Union ministers will discuss the priorities of Sweden's presidency and preparations for the Baltic Sea Region Strategy. Iceland's application to accede to the EU will also be discussed.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that Estonia supports Iceland's application being addressed in the European Union without any complications.

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]]> Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:27:29 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-616 Estonia Supports Increasing Domestic Security in Georgia http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-605
“We wish for Georgia to move persistently and patiently, carrying out reforms that bring it closer to the European Union and NATO,” said Paet. “Estonia supports Georgia's efforts, and we hope that a visa facilitation and readmission agreement can be concluded between the European Union and Georgia very soon,” Paet added.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised Estonia's continuing support of Georgia in the development aid sector. Today Paet presented the interior ministry of Georgia with equipment that will help Georgia increase its capability to detect forged car documents and prevent the illicit sale of cars in the Caucasus region. “Georgia is one of Estonia's four development co-operation target countries. We wish to support the development of a democratic Georgia; this border control equipment for improving domestic security is a part of that support,” stated the Estonian foreign minister during the presentation ceremony at the Georgian Interior Ministry.

Topics of discussion included prospects for economic development and the attractiveness of Georgia's economic environment. Paet, who opened an Estonia-Georgia business seminar in Tbilisi, expressed hope that Georgia's preparations would soon reach the point when it would be possible to begin a comprehensive free trade agreement between the European Union and Georgia as well as negotiations for a European Union-Georgia association agreement. Paet also stressed the necessity of concluding an agreement for the protection of investments between Estonia and Georgia.

Paet met today with Georgian Parliament Speaker David Bakradze, Prime Minister Nikoloz Gilaur, and Deputy Foreign Minister George Bokeria, with whom he discussed Estonia and Georgia's close relations, Georgia's progress towards the European Union and NATO, the region's security situation, energy issues, and co-operation within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership.

While talking with David Bakradze about Georgia's domestic political situation, Foreign Minister Paet expressed hope that Georgia's domestic political situation would stabilise and that debate would shift from the streets to the Parliament, which is the place for discussing and resolving issues that affect the development of the nation.

At their meeting they also discussed the security situation in the wake of last August's Georgia-Russia military conflict. “The continuation of the UN UNOMIG mission as well as other international monitoring missions is essential for giving a feeling of security to the people of Georgia, but it is also an indicator of the fact that the Georgia-Russia military conflict has not been resolved,” Paet stressed.



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pressitalitus@mfa.ee ]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:07:54 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-605 FM Paet: International Missions in Georgia Must Continue http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-604
Paet emphasised that the political ties between Estonia and Georgia are already very tight, but Estonia would like to further develop relations in many areas. "We would like to conclude a social security agreement between the two countries very soon," said Paet. "We also hope to conclude a bilateral agreement for the protection of investments in the near future, in order to help create closer Estonia-Georgia business contacts," he added.

The foreign ministers discussed Estonia-Georgia co-operation within the framework of the European Union Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership as well. "Eastern Partnership gives an important opportunity for Georgia and other Eastern Partnership target nations to grow closer to the European Union, and this opportunity should be used," Paet stressed. "We support Georgia's efforts in implementing domestic reforms and harmonising legislation," he added.

At the meeting, they also addressed relations with neighbouring nations and the security situation in the region.

Paet emphasised that Estonia considers the presence of international organisations and their missions in Georgia to be necessary. "A long-term political solution in post-conflict Georgia must be based upon Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty," said Paet. "The presence of international missions and the extension of the mandates for the European Union and UN monitoring missions support a feeling of security for people in Georgia and also carry the message that it is necessary to find a resolution to the conflict," said Paet, stressing that international observers require access to all of Georgia's territory. Paet noted that Estonia will also continue to support Georgia in its integration with NATO.

During the meeting, Georgian Foreign Minister Gregory Vashadze thanked Estonia for the help it was given Georgia, especially for development co-operation and humanitarian aid given in 2008 following the Russia-Georgia conflict.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet issued an invitation for Gregory Vashadze to visit Estonia. The ministers expressed hope that the visit could take place within this year.



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pressitalitus@mfa.ee ]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:15:33 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-604 Paet: Eastern Partnership Must Develop into Comprehensive Co-operation http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-598 Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasized at the annual meeting of the Baltic and German foreign ministers in Palanga today that the Eastern Partnership must provide comprehensive co-operation and maximum support for target countries.

Paet emphasized that the Eastern Partnership must take into account the capability and readiness for reforms of the target countries. The target countries of the Eastern Partnership are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. "The support of the EU, necessary agreements for economic integration, co-operation in energy, security and visa issues are the means through which the Eastern Partnership could be developed," said Paet. "In order to start comprehensive co-operation the establishment of the coordinator should be considered at the European Commission," added Paet.

The Baltic and German foreign ministers discussed, in addition to issues related to the European Union Eastern Partnership, the situations in Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. The preparations for the European Council session in June, the Treaty of Lisbon and EU institutional questions were also discussed.

Issues concerning Europe's security architecture and co-operation with Russia were also discussed. "Security architecture must be regarded with one voice," Paet said. "Europe has a co-operation format for security issues and it is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe," added Paet.

The annual meeting of the Baltic and German foreign ministers takes place every year in order to discuss relevant issues. The next meeting will take place in Tallinn in 2010.


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]]> Fri, 15 May 2009 08:27:44 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-598 Paet Calls For Improvement of Human Rights Situation in Georgia's Abkhazia and South Ossetia Regions http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-591 In his speech today at the meeting of the Council of Europe foreign ministers in Madrid, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that in the wake of the Russia-Georgia war it is necessary to guarantee international aid organisations and monitors access to all of Georgia's territory. "Guaranteed access for humanitarian aid will help with the return of IDPs to their homes and with ensuring basic human rights in occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Council of Europe must demand this unanimously," emphasised Paet.

Paet stated that last year the members of the Council of Europe underestimated the possibility of a conflict erupting between two members of the Council of Europe-Russia and Georgia. "Dealing with the aftermath of the conflict and ensuring the human rights of the victims is a touchstone for the Council of Europe's political credibility," he added.

In his speech, Paet emphasised Estonia's readiness to move forward with the reform of the European Court of Human Rights and called upon other member states to do so as well. "In order to support the court's work in ensuring human rights and basic freedoms, the rapid improvement of the case-processing system is essential," Paet noted.

Foreign Minister Paet also mentioned the new Council of Europe co-operation project for fighting cybercrime. "The Council of Europe, which is a multi-faceted organisation that brings most of the countries of Europe together, is this year celebrating 60 years of supporting basic rights and freedoms, rule of law, economic freedom, and democracy," said Paet. "A new challenge in fulfilling these goals comes in the form of co-operating to fight cybercrime, which includes increasing the group of nations that has joined the Convention on Cybercrime," said the Estonian foreign minister.

The Council of Europe foreign ministers that gathered today, 12 May, in Madrid also discussed the Council of Europe's co-operation with other international organisations (the EU, OSCE) and the upcoming election of a new Secretary General of the Council of Europe, for which the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will meet in Strasbourg in June.

Spain handed the presidency of the Council of Europe over to the next presidency nation, Slovenia.

Journalists, you can find background information on the activities and goals of the Council of Europe in the Foreign Ministry's Yearbook in both Estonian and English.

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]]> Tue, 12 May 2009 13:07:07 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-591 Paet: EU Eastern Partnership Must Have Quick Start http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-592 At a meeting in Luxembourg with his colleagues from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Latvia and Lithuania, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised that the European Union must take the commencement of Eastern Partnership very seriously.

Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus belong to the EU Eastern Partnership. Paet stated that through the EU Eastern Partnership, an effective framework must be created to help partner countries become closer to the EU. "For this, we need concrete schedules and deadlines, so that it would be possible to begin practical work immediately after the Eastern Partnership summit on 7 May," he added.

At the meeting of the Benelux and Baltic foreign ministers in Luxembourg on the evening of Sunday, 26 April, another topic of discussion was the security situation in Europe. The ministers agreed that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the appropriate place for discussions about Europe's security structures. Paet stated that the security architecture of Europe should be based on common values and mutual agreements that are always followed. "Today's security architecture works when all parties adhere to principles that were previously decided," he added. "Close co-operation between the EU and USA and the EU and NATO are essential to European security," Paet stated.

A meeting of the Baltic and Benelux foreign ministers occurs regularly once a year. The last meeting of the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia took place in the fall of 2008 in Estonia.

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]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:21:45 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-592 European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia Needs Reinforcement http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-599
At the meeting, during which developments in Georgia as well as EU-Georgia and NATO-EU relations were addressed, it was agreed that both the EU and NATO should be paying even more attention to Georgia. Foreign Minister Paet stated that it is essential to quickly begin EU-Georgia free trade agreement negotiations without setting additional prerequisites. "Estonia does not want for more to be required of Georgia than the EU has asked of other nations with whom it has initiated free trade agreement negotiations," he added.

Estonia also supports concluding an EU-Georgia visa facilitation and readmission agreement as soon as possible.

Also discussed was the progress of discussions in Geneva, which are addressing the situation in Georgia after the war. "These discussions must certainly not be a mechanism by which attempts will be made to legitimise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," said Paet.

While talking about NATO-Georgia relations, Paet said that Georgia has been one of NATO's most efficient partner states. "Georgia has the support of NATO. During the past few months a NATO-Georgia Commission and an annual national programme have been created for co-operation with Georgia. The national programme is Georgia's own document, which gives it freedom but also responsibility. Georgia's incorporation with the international forces in Afghanistan is also essential," Paet said.

Paet added that Georgia must continue to carry out democratic reforms. "Estonia has supported Georgia's reforms and will continue to do so," he asserted.

Other participants in the meeting on Georgia's developments were representatives of the USA, Great Britain, Turkey, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Bulgaria, as well as Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vasadze and European Union Special Representatives Pierre Morel and Peter Semneby.


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]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:57:51 GMT http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-599 NATO Foreign Ministers Confirmed Support for Ukraine and Georgia http://www.tbilisi.vm.ee/frontpage/news/aid-600 At today's sessions of the NATO-Ukraine and NATO-Georgia Commission, the NATO foreign ministers exchanged ideas on NATO's relations with Georgia and Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the Annual National Plan (ANP) is an effective method for preparing a nation to join the alliance, as it creates a strong basis for integration with Euro-Atlantic structures. "Estonia is prepared to give advice to Georgia and Ukraine and to share its experiences in the ANP process," Paet added.

The foreign ministers of the alliance expressed their support for the territorial integrity of Georgia and emphasised the importance of an international presence in the Caucasus. "The extension of international monitoring missions and the access of international monitors and humanitarian aid to occupied territories is extremely important-we must continue our efforts in this area," emphasised Paet.

The NATO foreign minister called upon Russia to fulfil the promises it made for resolving the Georgia conflict. Paet said that the NATO foreign ministers expressed concern over Russia's decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent and its decision to establish a military base in Abkhazia.

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