Meeting of Minister Moratinos and Nikoloz Gilauri, PM of Georgia.

MEETING BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COOPERATION OF SPAIN AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF GEORGIA, NIKOLOZ GILAURI (Press Release)

The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Angel Moratinos, has held today a working dinner with Prime Minister of Georgia, Nikoloz Gilauri. The meeting has focused both on Spanish-Georgian bilateral relations and the most relevant issues regarding Georgia's relationship with the EU, within the context of the Spanish Presidency during the first half of 2010.

Minister Moratinos begun declaring to Prime Minister Gilauri Spanish Government's confidence that Georgia will continue in the path of internal reforms that could help consolidate democracy in that country, as well as economic reforms that will serve to strengthen the development of Georgia.

The Foreign Minister also stressed the Spanish support for the territorial integrity of Georgia within the framework of the principles on which the ceasefire reached on August 12, 2008 and the Geneva talks.

Miguel Angel Moratinos

Both leaders have pointed out the need to explore ways to ensure the presence of other International Organizations in the region such as the OSCE in the protection of minorities or the Council of Europe on Human Rights.

In the context of the forthcoming Spanish EU presidency, Miguel Angel Moratinos recalled the full involvement of the Twenty-seven in the security in the region, which most visible action has been the expansion of the mandate of the Monitoring Mission (EUMM) until September 2010 and expressed Spain's support for Georgia's approach to the EU within the framework of the Oriental Association.

The Minister has stated that during the Spanish Presidency of the EU, all channels of dialogue will remain open, continuing the momentum created by the Swedish Presidency of the EU regarding the relations with South Caucasus states, particularly with Georgia.