Address of First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
at the 1154th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies of the
Council of Europe
(Strasbourg 14 November, 2012)
Thank you Chair,
Dear Secretary General,
Excellences,
Dear Colleagues,
I am grateful for this opportunity to address you and to make my first statement
in my capacity as a first deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. I am
addressing you at such an important moment in my country’s history, at the
time when Georgian people made their free choice and voted in a new
government.
First, I should like to thank the Secretary General and our friends and observers
from the Council of Europe, who with their partners from other international
organizations helped avoid grave mistakes during the enormously difficult and
emotionally charged political contest.
It’s been a little over a month since the 1 October parliamentary elections
marked a turning point in the history of Georgia.
The Georgian people made its historic choice and voted for a new government.
As a result, the political coalition "Georgian Dream", assumed the power in the
country and formed a new cabinet of ministers.
Allow me to stress that the peaceful and democratic nature of this transfer of
power was made possible, primarily due to the declared will of the Georgian
people and the international community as a whole.
Let me highly commend the approach taken by our friends and partners from
the United States, the European Union, and by the international observers, who
- by choosing to stand by the Georgian people rather than endorsing either
political force – helped avoid grave blunders in the midst of an enormously
difficult and emotionally charged political confrontation during the elections
process.
At the same time, it is crucially important to analyse the lessons learned – the
violence that the previous government committed against the opposition;
against fundamental freedoms that every person has the right to - the freedom
of expression; against free media and against its own electorate – in order to
ensure the democratic development of the country.
The Georgian Government is committed to building a strong and effective
democratic state where human rights and fundamental freedoms will be
protected. We will actively engage in building the truly democratic institutions,
upholding and strengthening the rule of law, fomenting the practice of good
governance and accountability, and preserving transparency of our institutions
and decision making process.
Atop the list of foreign policy priorities is the de-occupation of the country's
occupied territories and the consolidation of international support for Georgia’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized
borders; We will work toward strengthening and further promoting of the
non-recognition policy with respect to Georgia's occupied territories, in a
partnership with the international community.
I should say few words regarding the relations between the Council of Europe
and Georgia. We intend to actively pursue a genuine and constructive dialogue
with the Council of Europe and its member states. Our government will strive
to meet its obligations and commitments undertaken when joining the Council
of Europe.
Dear Secretary General, Excellences,
We highly appreciate that the conflict-related activities and proposals made in
the regular consolidated reports remain high on the political agenda of the
Committee of Ministers. We do appreciate that the agenda item Council of
Europe and the Conflict in Georgia appear on the agenda of all Ministers’
Deputies meetings. I would also like to mention that the reporting exercise
must continue and we offer all our support and assistance in this context.
It is a matter of serious concern to us, that residents of the two Georgian regions
do not have an adequate legal recourse to the European court, nor their rights
can be adequately monitored and protected. In this respect we express hope the
Russian authorities will ensure free and unimpeded access to the occupied
regions for the representatives of the Secretariat, thus enabling them to carry
out their reporting exercise on the ground. The Council of Europe can
undoubtedly make steps to change this grave condition and we are ready to
work creatively with you to ensure access of the rapporteurs to these areas. We
count on understanding and respect to human rights and humanitarian needs of
the population by all our members and all those who are involved on the
ground.
The present state of the relationship between the two fellow neighbouring
members states of the Council of Europe is a challenge to the European idea and
values. The violation of the principles of sovereignty and disregard to human
rights standards leads to emergence of the new dividing lines. Finger-pointing
and mutual accusations would not improve the lives of people– but openness to
good-faith mediators, doing their work based on Council’s body of principles
and treaties might.
I would like to use this opportunity and tell you that I am looking forward to
our cooperation. I am confident, that you persevere in your constructive
dialogue with the new government of Georgia, which is committed to building
a strong and effective democratic state with human rights, fairness and justice
at its heart. We will actively engage in building the democratic institutions,
strengthening the rule of law, expanding good governance and accountability,
and preserving transparency of our institutions and decision making.
To conclude, I would like to welcome Andorra’s chairmanship and wish all the
success in its future important endeavors.
Thank you and I am ready to answer your questions. Mr Chairman, I would
also be grateful for the inclusion of this statement in the records of the meeting.