On 4 February representatives of Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Polish, Georgian, Bulgarian and Romanian ministries of foreign affairs gathered for the Group of New Friends of Georgia meeting considered perspectives of the European Neighbourhood Policy for South Caucasus, possible assistance in implementation of Georgia and NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), problems of international monitoring of Georgian-Russian border.
The meeting organized by Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by Lithuanian Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Dalius Čekuolis.
In the conclusions drawn at the end of the meeting participants urge on timely start of consultations on the European Neighbourhood Action Plan for Georgia, support NATO open doors policy and remind about the necessity to fulfil obligations undertaken at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in Istanbul in 1999.
The conclusions welcome South Ossetia peace plan offered by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and underline the importance of broader European Union and NATO participation in search of conflict resolution.
Participants of the meeting expressed concern about situation on the border between Georgia and Russia, which after Russian veto on extension of the OSCE Border Monitoring Mission is defined as “security deficit”.
Representatives of seven states underline the necessity to consider all possible alternatives for continuation of international observation of the border between Georgia and Russia, including the EU mission opportunity.
Participants of the meeting agreed on continuity of activities of the Group of New Friends of Georgia involving more states in it.
Lithuania’s support for Georgia’s aspirations in the field of Euro-Atlantic integration is recorded in joint Lithuanian and Georgian Presidents declaration signed on 14 October 2004, during the official visit of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in Vilnius.
Meeting the obligations under this declaration Lithuanian Foreign Ministry and public institution “European Social, Legal and Economic Projects” start implementation of long-term technical assistance for Georgia in the field of European integration project. In the framework of this project Lithuanian experts will share experience with Georgian representatives in course of drafting of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan and National European integration strategy and also instruct Georgian civil servants in certain areas and organize trainings aiming to strengthen their administrative skills.
Working towards the goals of this declaration Lithuanian Foreign Ministry organizes 10 days traineeship for two Georgian civil servants. During this traineeship they will get acquainted with European integration experience of Lithuanian institutions.