Statement of EU Delegation to Georgia

The European Union delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Georgia: 

 

The EU Delegation welcomes that from 1 January 2014 the office of State Minister Paata Zakareishvili will become the Ministry for Reconciliation and Civic Equality. The EU Delegation encourages the Georgian government as a whole to continue steps towards pragmatic engagement with Abkhazians and South Ossetians. 

 

The EU Delegation acknowledges the efforts, pragmatism and commitment of the Office of the State Minister and all those working towards peace and reconciliation on all sides, and wishes them courage and vigour for the new year. 

 

The EU Delegation notes the opinion of the Venice Commission, which welcomed recent amendments to the ‘Law on the Occupied Territories’ but suggested further potential improvements to the law. The EU Delegation urges the Georgian government to consider these recommendations. 

 

The EU Delegation reiterates that EU Ambassadors will continue their own efforts to engage with the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The EU Delegation recognises that direct contact between those affected by the conflict can make an important contribution to reconciliation.

Source:http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/georgia/