March 27, being on his visit to Austria the Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli met with the Federal Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schussel and the Federal President Heinz Fischer.
At the meeting they discussed the progress of settlement of the conflict in Tskhinvali Region and spoke about integration of Georgia with the EU and energy safety.
The prime Minister focused on the situation existing in Tskhinvali Region and spoke about the steps taken by the Government of Georgia. Zurab Nogaideli welcomed activation of the role of the EU in terms of settlement of the conflict on the territory of Georgia and expressed his content for support provided by Austria, as the EU chair country, to Georgia. He emphasized on the statements made on behalf of the EU (including statements made at the meeting of OSCE Standing Committee that day) with regard to settlement of the conflict in Tskhinvali Region. He also mentioned the wish of the EU to take part in the region rehabilitation projects.
Zurab Nogaideli said that he was satisfied with the progress of the negotiations carried on Georgian Action Plan of the European Neighborhood Policy. It was noted that the Government of Georgia pragmatically evaluated the situation and put development of Action Plan based on the actual needs. The Austrian delegation supported the wish expressed by the prime Minister to put signing of Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and the EU on the Agenda and, first, signing with a member of Customs Union of Europe, Turkey.
While talking about energy safety, they noted that the entire European continent needs to create and implement a single energy safety policy the key element of which must be diversification of sources. Thus, stress was set on Georgia as a transit country and a potential regarding connection to the regional (European) level system of the existing projects (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum).
The conversation also touched important safety issues of both countries. The prime Minister spoke about the planned Business Forum and hoped that Austrian investors would show their interest in Georgia. The parties stated with pleasure with respect to signing Annex to Air Transport Agreement within the framework of this visit which would rather simplify the aviation movement between the two countries.
Georgian State Chancellery Press Center