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Minister for Europe to visit Georgia and Armenia

Georgia Materials 9 October 2006 16:41 (UTC +04:00)

(CNN) - Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon starts a visit to Georgia and Armenia today. During his three day visit, the Minister will meet his government counterparts and discuss issues of mutual concern, including promoting democracy, good governance and regional stability in the South Caucasus, reports Trend.

Mr Hoon said: "I am glad to be visiting Georgia at a time when two welcome steps have just been taken in the deepening of the country's relationship with Europe. Last month the NATO Alliance agreed to open an Intensified Dialogue with Georgia. And last week Georgia and the European Union successfully concluded negotiations on a European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan to be signed at the EU-Georgia Co-operation Council next month in Brussels. Both these agreements are designed to support and stimulate processes of modernisation and reform, promoting Georgia's development as a secure, stable and successful country.

"This is a clearly a significant time for Georgia. The UK wants to see an early solution to the current difficulties in Georgian-Russian relations. It is important for regional stability that both sides should exercise restraint, avoiding inflammatory statements and impetuous actions. We have raised with the Russians the desirability of their lifting as soon as possible the measures they have introduced. But equally we look to the Georgian authorities to act constructively. I hope that normal contacts, based on mutual respect, can be restored between the two countries as soon as possible. The UK firmly believes that the serious and challenging issues underlying this dispute can only be resolved with the full and constructive involvement of the Russian and Georgian authorities, working together with the support of the international community to reach mutually acceptable solutions.

"I am also pleased to be visiting Armenia, especially now that the European Neighbourhood Programme has been agreed for Armenia, as for Georgia and Azerbaijan. Armenia is to be congratulated on this significant achievement. With the Deputy Defence Minister also visiting the UK this week, our bilateral relations are growing in strength. As elections approach, I look forward to discussing the importance of free and fair voting with my Armenian colleagues, opposition leaders and representatives of civil society. We will also be discussing how progress can be made through the OSCE Minsk Group on the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh."

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