Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-10-13-Speech-3-085"
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"en.20041013.5.3-085"2
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".
Madam President, I am going to talk about Georgia, a very important subject, and I am sure that the majority of the people here are very concerned about the situation there. From the outset of political change in Georgia, the European Union has been fully engaged with the new government and the new political leaders who have been in Georgia since the so-called ‘rose revolution’.
I would like to tell you what we have done so far. Firstly, we have appointed a special representative, Mr Heikki Talvitie, who represents us in the region, and particularly in Georgia. The role he has played has been greatly appreciated by everybody, by President Saakashvili, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by the government as a whole, and by the countries of the region. He has been able to act as a link between Georgia and Russia, which, as you can imagine, is a very important element in the situation today.
Secondly, and very importantly, we have included Georgia and two other countries in the region, Azerbaijan and Armenia, in the neighbourhood policy. This has been the most important way in which we were able to help these countries move closer to the European Union. We did it rapidly, and you can imagine the happiness this decision has created for the people and leaders of Georgia.
I would also like to say that the European Union has already organised a donors conference for Georgia. It was a success, right after the change in government. In July we launched the first ESDP operation for the rule of law in Georgia. It is working very well. It is an innovation, one of the many operations and actions the European Union can carry out among the whole panoply of capabilities we have for helping countries in transition.
The situation in Georgia is not good from an economic point of view. GDP has decreased by almost 60%, which is of very serious concern. 60% of the population are probably below the poverty line and there are still around 300 000 displaced persons as a result of the wars in Georgia.
I cannot finish talking about Georgia without talking about the conflicts and the problems facing the country. Georgia has solved one problem through the autonomy of Ajaria, but there are still two big problems which will not be solved so easily: the problem of South Ossetia and the problem of Abkhazia. The OECD has a role to play there. Mr Talvitie, representing us, will continue to work on that. But the solution of those problems will not be as simple and easy as the one I mentioned before, which was resolved quite smoothly through the autonomy process. This is going to be more difficult. It is going to require a good understanding of Russia. We are ready to play that role if necessary, but we have the impression that these two issues are going to take more time and will be more difficult. But in any case they have to be resolved. Without the resolution of the problem there, Georgia's integrity will never be a reality.
I would also like to say a word on regional cooperation. Georgia cannot be isolated from its two other neighbours in the southern Caucasus: Azerbaijan and Armenia. We have a relationship with the three countries. We would like to construct a relationship with the three countries which is vivid, which is important and which is close to the European Union and the European Union dream. I therefore want to say that President Saakashvili has the support of the European Union. It was clear from the very beginning that he had enormous problems in front of him. We are going to help him with the reforms he has to make internally and in Georgia's relations with neighbouring countries, in particular its relations with Russia, which will be highly important. As you know, there are still Russian troops in Georgia. President Saakashvili has said he will not accept forces from any other country in his territory and therefore he will give guarantees to the Russians that they can leave without the risk of any forces from any other country appearing in Georgia. Georgia has a difficult time ahead and needs the help of its friends. Here we are. We are friends of Georgia."@en1
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