Czech FM goes to Georgia to discuss bilateral cooperation

TBILISI, May 12 (Itar-Tass) -- Czech Foreign Minister Karel
Schwarzenberg will begin a two-day official visit to Georgia on Thursday,
May 12, to discuss broader cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides will also discuss Georgia's relations with the European
Union and NATO, Georgian Foreign Ministry officials said.
A group of Czech businessmen will accompany Schwarzenberg on his trip.
A Georgian-Czech business forum will be held during the visit.
"A special emphasis will be made on economic cooperation between the
two countries," the Foreign Ministry said and expressed hope that "the
Czech businessmen will show interests in projects in Georgia".
Other sources referred to Czech investments in the power industry,
construction sector and healthcare.
The Czech Republic and Georgia established diplomatic relations in
1992. They have been cooperating in the trade and economic sphere since
the middle of the 1990s. Bilateral economic contacts became particularly
intensive in the last 5-6 years.
Eighteen months ago a Georgian-Czech agreement on the encouragement
and mutual protection of investments was signed in Tbilisi.
The first round of talks on an association agreement between Georgia
and the European Union began in July 2010.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said, "The association agreement between
Georgia and the EU will replace the effective agreement 'On Partnership
and Cooperation'. The association agreement calls for deeper interaction
between Georgia and the EU in priority fields and will give the country an
opportunity for gradual economic integration and political association
with the EU."
In March 2010, the EU approved directives for talks with three South
Caucasus countries -- Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - on association
agreements. Ashton said that the adoption of these directives was an
indication of the EU's commitment to close relations with the counties of
the South Caucasus that are based on common values and principles, respect
for democracy, rule of law and human rights.
Georgia is the first country in the Caucasus to begin negotiations on
an association agreement with the European Union.
Georgia and the European Union have maintained relations for several
years. With Georgia having recently undergone substantial reforms,
Saakashvili has expressed his desire to see membership in the European
Union as a long-term priority. Links to the EU, USA and NATO have been
strengthened, with attempts being made to move away from the Russian
sphere of influence while attempting to advance co-operation with Russia.
Territorial disputes continue over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
As for relations with NATO, Georgia's top officials say that Tbilisi
continues the policy of integration with the North Atlantic Alliance and
say that membership in the alliance will help to strengthen the country's
independence, security and sovereignty, facilitate its socio-economic and
democratic development.