Eurasia Press & News
A delegation of the Council of Europe arrived in Tbilisi this morning. The delegation includes Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland, and Cabinet of Ministers Chairman, Slovenian Foreign Minister Antonio Miloslovski, Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister David Jalagania said today.
The agenda includes meetings with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Parliamentary Speaker David Bakradze, Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, State Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili and Refugees and Resettlement Minister Koba Subeliani.
Jagland stressed that the sides will carefully review the consequences of Russian aggression and the occupation of Georgian territories in August 2008.
“We will also discuss the outcome of our meetings after the visit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Miloslovski said they also will address Georgia-Russia relations during the visit.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has already issued a statement in connection with the visit, noting its satisfaction the “Council of Europe’s willingness to actively engage in the government’s new action plan on ‘State Strategy on the Occupied Territories: Engagement through Cooperation.” The ministry added that it looks forward to discussing the council’s concrete activities.
Issues related to the Council of Europe’s future role in safeguarding human rights in the occupied territories will also be considered. Georgia acknowledges the council’s interest and political responsibility in protecting human rights standards throughout Europe, including these areas.
