( Prime-News ) - Gela Bezhuashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and Eimert van Middelkoop, Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, discussed a broad spectrum of relations between the two countries, including the issues of cooperation in the field of defense and outlooks for the future at the meeting held in the Netherlands.
Prime-News was told at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia that the Ministers highlighted the issues of Georgia's integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Discussions focused inter alia on the engagement of Georgia and the Netherlands in the international peace operations.
The same day the Georgian Foreign Minister met with Bert Koenders, Development Cooperation Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The talking points included the issues of cooperation in the fields of trade and economy. Special mention was made of the importance of reinforcement of relationship in the trade-economic field and attraction of Dutch investments to Georgia. Mr. Bezhuashvili briefed his Dutch colleague on the ongoing reforms in Georgia, advances made in the economic field as well as steps taken by the Government of Georgia towards creating a favorable business climate.
The same day the Georgian Foreign Minister held meetings with Vice-presidents of the Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Development Cooperation, Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and committee members.
At the Clingendael Institute of International Relations, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Gela Bezhuashvili delivered a speech titled 'Europe without Dividing Lines - Georgia's Challenges and Opportunities'. Mr. Bezhuashvili provided representatives of the diplomatic corps and political analysts of the Netherlands as well as international experts with detailed information on the ongoing democratic processes in Georgia, achievements in the economic field, regional cooperation and the process of Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration. At the end of the meeting Minister Bezhuashvili answered the questions of the attending audience.
In the framework of Minister Bezhuashvili's visit to the Hague, a reception was held on the occasion of official opening of the Embassy of Georgia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
On 18 October Mr. Bezhuashvili will hold talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.